After the opening of free agency this summer, many teams threw a lot of money, including Halliburton of the Pacers, Edwards of the Timberwolves, and three-goal Ball of the Hornets, all of whom received up to five-year $260 million super maximum salary contracts. In terms of rockets, their general manager Stone seems to have received instructions from the boss Feltita, and if he spends less, he may have to deduct his salary! So in the case of having already signed Brooks, it is still giving Brooks a salary increase, 6 million to 10 million US dollars! Give Jeff Green a salary increase, $4 million more in 2 years. In order to send away Taitai Washington, Garuba, Martin Jr., Christopher and others, he has been posting the second round of picks. And the Sun is also completing precise reinforcement in limited salary space.
The most interesting is the Lakers, bidding farewell to Lonnie Walker, Schroder, Troy Brown, etc., signing Hayes, Vincent, Prince, Reddish in a row, and the goal of the new season is very clear. There is a piece of news that is inconspicuous but completely shows the attitude of the Lakers. According to columnist Deng Wenni, starting August 4 this summer, thick eyebrows are eligible to renew their contracts with the Lakers in advance. He now has $83.8 million left on his contract for 2 years, and he can sign a three-year extension with the Lakers for $170 million. But a source familiar with the Lakers revealed that the Lakers put the renewal of thick eyebrows in a very inconspicuous position, because the Lakers did not want to renew the thick eyebrows, and they did not intend to completely bind the future of thick eyebrows.
Obviously, the health problem of thick eyebrows is a huge concern, but the source said: "Lakers management also wants to know what LeBron will do next." "To be honest, Thick Eyebrows played very well in the second half of last season, including the playoffs, except for the Nuggets series, which really didn't move Jokic. Let's start with the Lakers' operation this summer. After the free market opened, the Lakers first renewed Hachimura for $51 million for 3 years and Reeves for $56.2 million for 4 years, including a 2-year $37 million extension to Russell. These three extensions, in fact, the Lakers are all profiteers, because the market value of Hachimura is more than $18 million, and Reeves has been exposed to the possibility of getting a four-year offer of $100 million, including Russell, who is also seeking a contract with an average salary of more than $30 million.
But there was no interest in salary space, and the Lakers managed to retain the framework for reaching the Western Conference finals last season. In addition, he signed Sentre for $33 million in 3 years, Reddish for 4.62 million in 2 years, Hayes for 4.62 million in 2 years, and Prince for 4.5 million in 1 year. In the words of columnist Reid, Hamm can no longer use a 3-guard, and Lakers management has eliminated the problem from the root. There is no doubt that the Lakers have perfectly improved the depth of the forward lineup through a series of operations, and several backcourts including Reeves, Russell, Vincent including the youngsters Christie and Xifino, who may enter the rotation, are completely enough. The only remaining drawback of the Lakers' roster is the center position, which only thick eyebrows and Hayes can use.
But last season, Hamm repeatedly put Jen Sr. at the top of the No. 5 position, including Hachimura who also played as a small lineup center, in fact, the Lakers' roster strength level has ranked among the top five in the league. But there is one more detail not to be overlooked, the future of the Lakers is actually still in their hands! Since the trade to get Wei Shao, the Lakers' Big Three run-in has not been ideal, but the Lakers management has been reluctant to catch the future first-round pick and send Wei Shao away. Until last season's trade deadline, the way to send away Wilson was a protected first-round pick, and the Lakers were clear: they will not overdraft the future, but will try to strengthen James to the extent feasible! This is not a contradiction, because no one else is that important except James. According to Los Angeles media statistics, the Lakers will have at least 5 first-round picks in hand in the next 7 years (ideally 6).
It also means that management can tear down and rebuild whenever they want. The specific picks are as follows: 24 or 25 years first-round pick, Pelicans can choose any one; The 26-year first-round pick belongs to the Lakers, and the 27-year first-round pick, the Lakers have the protection of the top four picks, and if outside the top four, belong to the Jazz; The 28-year and '29 first-round picks didn't move, and many teams in the 30-year first-round picks were also included in the trade, such as the Warriors, but the Lakers are still in their hands! The Lakers management has long been prepared for both hands, Reeves + Hachimura, the future will definitely occupy an important role and role, the Lakers are not in a hurry to rebuild these two years, but the future signing is in their hands. Here must praise Pelinka, after the free market opened, the rapid operation, the precision of reinforcement, even attracted the old Zhan's poster like! Lakers management is also difficult, but it also shows James' attraction to other players!
And the crux of the matter is James! After James' son Brownie enters the league, the elder James is likely to choose to compete with his son and write a perfect legendary career. Here in the Lakers, as long as James leaves, thick eyebrows or heavy? James will turn 39 next season, in his 21st year of his career, he is still the most special presence in the league, although he may not be able to bear the title of the league's first man in terms of strength, but in terms of influence, in terms of the importance of the team, including the ability of James to lead the team, no one can replace him. In Reddish's words, he can't wait to fight alongside Old Jen, which means a lot. As for the thick eyebrows, as long as James chooses to leave, the thick eyebrows will basically say goodbye to the Lakers!