The Lakers didn't get out until the Western Conference Finals, and this season is actually not a failure. But for James, not winning a championship is a failure, which is why he said in an interview after losing to the Nuggets that he would consider whether to retire.
Compared to the Lakers, the Lone Ranger is actually a real failure! The Mavericks reached the Western Conference Finals last season, but finished 11th in the West this season, not even playing the playoffs. In the mid-season trade window, the Lone Ranger traded for Irving, thinking he could hit the championship, but after Irving joined, the Lone Ranger dived all the way to the lotto area.
The Lone Ranger thought that Doncic and Irving could play James and Irving, but it turned out that Doncic was not James, and his combination with Irving was a failure. This summer, Irving became a free agent, and whether to renew Irving has become a big problem for the Lone Ranger. This season's defeat has proven that Doncic and Irving are not suitable, and if Irving is re-signed at the top salary, the Lone Ranger will not see the future. Continued failure will make Doncic very unhappy, so there is a possibility of applying to leave the team.
But if they don't renew Irving's contract, then everything they have paid to get Irving will be lost. Paying so much to get Irving only got access for half a season, and that half of the season was still a failure. Can a lone ranger be willing? The Lone Ranger is reluctant to renew Irving with a top salary, but does not want to lose him for nothing, and the best way is to sign. And it just so happens that there is one team that wants Irving and needs the help of the Lone Ranger, and that team is the Lakers.
James' hope that the Lakers bring in Irving is nothing new, and it can be said that the whole league knows about it. When Wei Shao was still with the Lakers, James actively pushed the Lakers to exchange Wei Shao for Irving, and eventually the Lakers exchanged Wei Shao for Russell, Vanderbilt and Beasley. Russell, Vanderbilt and Beasley helped the Lakers move up from 13th to seventh in the West, beating the Grizzlies and Warriors 4-2 in the playoffs. But the further back you go, the less the three new signings contribute to the Lakers. Beasley was dropped in the first round of the playoffs, Vanderbilt played less and less time, and Russell became a burden in the Western Conference Finals.
US media reported that the Lakers and the Lone Ranger are brewing a 3-for-1 trade plan, specifically for the Lakers to send Russell, Vanderbilt and the No. 17 pick in 2023 to get Irving. Both parties to the deal need to sign off.
The Lakers got Irving as they wished, and the price was acceptable. Russellsi's poor performance made the Lakers determined not to keep him. The No. 17 pick in 2023 will be worth more than use value for the Lakers aiming for a championship. The most pity is to lose Vanderbilt, but to get Irving, there is always something to give.
This trading plan, the lone ranger can also be completely satisfied. Russell can control and shoot, and it's still very good to play the regular season. Vanderbilt has bolstered the Lone Ranger's flank defense, and the No. 17 pick in 2023 can also give the Lone Ranger a good first-round pick. Compared to losing Irving for nothing, this is a good return. The lone ranger can also make transactions later, and the whole chessboard is live.