The NBA regular season has been played for nearly 30 rounds, and unlike previous seasons, the East-West landscape has been very confusing this season. The top of the East has been dominated by several superteams that have built a star roster, and the Bucks have risen to the second place in the East after Lillard's form gradually recovered. And it is only less than 1 win away from the first-placed Celtics. Behind them are the 76ers, with Embiid surpassing Jokic to become the No. 1 player in the league's recently updated MVP rankings. The top two teams in the West are two unexpected teams, the Timberwolves and the Thunder, who don't have much playoff experience after all, so they shouldn't be afraid of the traditional giants.
But now the situation is that a number of teams that were called the favorites before the season have lost one after another, and the combination of Durant and Booker of the Suns has fallen to 9th in the West. The Warriors Curry and Thompson led the team to 11th place in the West. None of these teams will change much in the near term, but there is a traditional powerhouse that is likely to be looking for a big trade at the trade deadline due to frequent losses. That's the Lakers, who won the midseason championship this season, but the team's schedule will be challenging. The Lakers have lost five of their last six games, losing to a slump like the Spurs in the process.
The 39-year-old James's form has also fluctuated greatly as the regular season has deepened. The Lakers' record has fallen to 15-14 after the loss to the Timberwolves, and they are tied with the Suns for ninth place in the West. And the Lakers' losing streak may continue, and they will next meet a series of highly competitive teams such as the Thunder, Celtics, Timberwolves, Heat, Clippers and so on. While role players like Reddish, Prince, and Reaves have worked hard, the truth is that the Lakers need a blockbuster trade to make a difference to the team. The Lakers now have nine players eligible to be traded, including Vincent, Russell, Prince, Schifino, Hayes, Reddish, Wood, Christie and Lewis. Reeves and Hachimura will also be allowed to trade in the near future.
But the Lakers should be clear that they can't wait until the trade deadline to make changes, or they'll be overstretching the fitness of James and Bushy Eyebrows. In terms of draft assets, the Lakers were far better than the outside world thought, and although there were only two first-rounders, it was a first-round pick in '29 or '30, which was the post-James era. The problem that the Lakers are exposing now is the backcourt, and Russell will obviously be the target of the public, with Russell averaging 15.3 points, 3.1 rebounds and 6.3 assists per game so far this season, shooting 38% from three-point range. The stats look pretty good, but Russell has proven time and time again this season that he can only play good stats against less competitive teams.
There's no doubt that the Lakers are once again entangled in trade rumors, and this time it's no longer Hield or Turner, it's LaVine from the Bulls. Goodbye Lakers!4 for 1, Russell's trade plan is out!LaVine teamed up with James to hit the championship!Lakers reporter Eric Pincus also listed a plan to trade LaVine, the specific details are that the Lakers sent Russell, Hachimura, Schifino and a 2029 first-round draft pick to get LaVine from the Bulls. LaVine's salary this season is $40 million, and his contract includes $178 million for four years left in the season. For the Lakers, LaVine doesn't have too many competing teams in the trade market right now, and the situation is good for the Lakers.
In terms of basic durability, LaVine and James have the same thick eyebrows as there is a big risk of injury, but if the core remains healthy, then LaVine and the Lakers will be a seamless fit. Remember, LaVine is not a Willie! Although LaVine has been in a slump this season, a large part of that has come from his disappointment with the Bulls. LaVine is shooting 38.2 percent from three-point range in his career and averaging 20.5 points per game. Once LaVine joins the Lakers, Ham's most likely starting lineup is James, Bush, LaVine, Reddish and Vanderbilt. Reddish and Vanderbilt provide defense, while the Big Three of James, LaVine and Bushy Brow ensure plenty of offensive threat.
The Lakers' bench lineup is led by Vincent, Reaves, Wood, Hayes and Christie. Over the past four seasons, LaVine has averaged more than seven outside shots per game and shot over 37.5 percent from the field. The Lakers are in desperate need of a high-capacity, high-percentage three-point shooter who can maintain a consistent three-point range. Russell, a two-time All-Star point guard, has the ability to create plenty of offensive space for James and Bushy Eyebrows. At the same time, LaVine has more correct shooting options, certain organizational skills and rebounding sense, and can become the third star around James and thick eyebrows. Once LaVine joins, the Lakers are definitely a more competitive team to contend for a championship.