In the recent NBA, the Los Angeles Lakers made another move, and were told that they are scouting and actively preparing to upgrade the team's overall strength and championship possibilities by potentially attracting new signings in the backcourt, namely Royce O'Neal, a versatile guard with solid three-point points and outstanding defense.
The Los Angeles Lakers have been a powerhouse in basketball since Kobe Bryant led the team to an NBA championship in 2010. After Kobe Bryant's retirement, the team was taken over by LeBron James and Anthony Davis, and it remains very competitive. Not only do they have the strength of the big three of James, Bushy Eyebrows and Wei Shao, but they have also further improved the depth of the roster by continuously bringing in potential rookies and capable free agents. In such a situation, the Lakers will launch a strong attack on the NBA championship this season, and their goal is undoubtedly very clear.
It's not all smooth sailing for the Lakers, either. In the summer of 2014, the team hired Phil Jackson as the team's new head coach, hoping to lead the team out of the slump and back to the top. However, Zen suffered a setback in his first season in charge of the Lakers, and the team missed the playoffs with a 43-39 record. The Lakers' performance has also been questioned, with many arguing that the Zen Master's tactical system is outdated and unable to adapt to the development trend of modern basketball.
The Lakers also have some issues with their roster. In the summer of 2015, injuries to two of the team's star players, Kobe Bryant and Gasol, led to a period of consecutive defeats in the middle of the season. Although the team gradually regained its form in the second half of the season, it ultimately missed the playoffs with a 37-45 record.
Over the next two seasons, the Lakers' performance still hasn't improved much. The team finished with a 41-41 record in 2016-17 and missed out on the playoffs in 2017-18 with a 35-47 record. The team's lineup is constantly changing, but it has never found a stable lineup and tactical system.
With the arrival of James in the summer of 2018, the Lakers' fortunes changed. James' arrival has not only improved the team's strength, but also made the team's tactical system more rich and diverse. Under James' leadership, the Lakers reached the Finals in 2019 and 2020 and managed to win the championship in 2020.
The Lakers have become one of the best teams in the NBA. Not only do they have the strength of the big three of James, Bushy Eyebrows and Wei Shao, but they have also further improved the depth of the roster by continuously bringing in potential rookies and capable free agents. In such a situation, the Lakers will launch a strong attack on the NBA championship this season, and their goal is undoubtedly very clear. However, it wasn't all smooth sailing for the Lakers. There are many challenges and difficulties that the Lakers will have to face in the coming games, and they will need to maintain a good form and a stable mentality in order to stand out from the fierce competition.
In the second half of this year, they have already shown strong combat effectiveness on the field, which is not to be underestimated. The current trading strategy shows that they dare to look for opportunities in the midst of uncertainty to help the team develop further.
According to relevant sources, the Lakers have made a list of potential trade candidates, including popular Zach LaVine and others. And members of the Lakers management team such as Bob Pelinka are more focused on Royce O'Neal.
O'Neal hails from the Brooklyn Nets and not only shoots accurate three-pointers, but also top-notch defensive skills. His addition will undoubtedly make the Lakers look away on the road to glory. With O'Neal's outstanding performance with the Brooklyn Nets, he's becoming an important piece of the puzzle for the Lakers, just like Danny Green, who had a stellar record in 2020.
Statistically, O'Neal has hit 38.8% of his three-pointers so far this season, averaging 5.7 shots per game. He's a consistent three-point shooter in the league and a great helper on the defensive end, making him stand out from the crowd. In addition, James, White and Conley all currently have a higher defensive contribution value (DBPM) than O'Neal's 1.4, and he will provide an effective addition to the Lakers in the defensive ring.
O'Neal has a contract worth $9.5 million until the end of the season. As a player whose contract expires, his transfer trade will be relatively easy to come through, and the Lakers can afford to spend that part. It can be seen that the addition of O'Neal will be a cost-effective move for the Lakers and will improve their overall combat effectiveness in an all-round way. O'Neal will not only improve the Lakers' overall strength, but his offensive and defensive talents will also provide them with more options in the playoffs. Although O'Neill is not a top player, his integration will make the team more balanced and improve resilience in the face of key battles.
O'Neal's addition will undoubtedly enhance the Lakers' competitive advantage and help them go further in the playoffs and on the sunny road to victory. Royce O'Neal's decision to join the Los Angeles Lakers will undoubtedly have a positive impact on the team, and he will improve the team's competitiveness and pave the way for the BJ schedule.