Compared with "high-end goods" like Murray and LaVine, the Lakers pursue them more realistically
The Knicks brought Anunoby, coveted by the league, from the Raptors, and the 26-year-old "advanced 3D" was asked for five first-round picks, which eventually scared away all buyers.
With Anunoby about to become a free agent with half a season left and a contract extension that has not been completed, the Raptors are worth twisting their noses to get Barrett, who has not fully realized his talent, from the Knicks, and Quickley, who is also facing a contract extension, which is far from their previous expectations.
Again, this incident illustrates:
(1) In the NBA, the timing of the trade is often more important than the chips. Whoever is in a hurry in the negotiation will lose the initiative and will either withdraw in the end or sell at a low price.
(2) Many transactions are negotiated in private and strictly confidentiality, and those transactions that are hyped by the media every day and are highly anticipated by fans are often a false shot.
If you want to conceive a trade in the NBA, on the basis of understanding the rules of the collective bargaining agreement and the salary status of the relevant teams, it is necessary to understand what the team wants, what their purpose is for the trade, and what the short-term and medium-to-long-term plans are.
If you can take it into account, you can understand most of the transactions and rumors. Like what:
Do you really think the Lakers care that much about LaVine or Murray?
Most of the so-called "media experts" in the United States are actually similar to domestic self-media that rely on popularity and traffic to make money.
Top ones such as Shams and Woj will be co-opted by big media outlets like ESPN, and then there are contracted writers from media companies such as The Athletic, whose income depends entirely on traffic and signing money, and down there are all kinds of grassroots writers, who do not need to bear any brand responsibility, as long as the writing Dongzi can attract attention, there will be traffic and income. It's pretty much the same as our domestic self-media.
Therefore, don't take the many articles directly translated by the NBA self-media in China as the golden rule, in the final analysis, everyone is a grassroots who earns the same money.
Last season, the whole world was hyping the Lakers to use "Wei Shao + 2 first round" to exchange for instant combat power, but they were ripped off by various teams, and by the way, Pelinka and Ham were also scolded as straw bales by all walks of life.
But the Lakers didn't give in, and they lasted until the last two days of the trade deadline, the Utah Jazz's chips were about to be unable to trade, free to leave the team, and the Timberwolves urgently needed Conley to activate Gobert's needs, and finally completed only half a draft pick (2027 first-round top ten protection) and two end rotations that couldn't play (Anderson + Jones), not only sent away Wei Shao, but also brought Russell, Vanderbilt, and Beasley three awards in one go, which led to the Lakers' rebound?
Let me ask, before this deal was heard, which self-media broke the clues? Once the news leaks, will it still be done?
Now the Lakers are facing the same dilemma again.
After winning the mid-season, they are 3-7. Vincent's injury and Russell's rumours have cost them the sharpness of being fourth in the West and becoming the inaugural midseason champion, and although the record is much better than the same period last season, it is significantly lower than expected before the start of the season, which has made trade rumors rampant again.
even forced James to return to the No. 1 position again to ensure the stability of his recent record.
Do the Lakers need a trade?
Hayes has proven himself to be a jumping guy who is not fit for basketball above the neck and has no ability to make it to the NBA. Wood can't change his ability to attack and defend weakly, and he can't take on the task of the No. 5 position when Bush Eyebrow is not present.
Reaves is not a "big ball carrier" who can hold the ball alone, his best position is still the second position and the secondary attacker, and with Vincent's injury and Russell's loss, the Lakers' organizational offense is in big trouble, and they can only drag James to the first position in advance to save the emergency, which is equivalent to overdrawing his playoff energy and personal health.
In this case, the Lakers do need to make a change.
They need a qualified backup center to ensure the offensive and defensive intensity of Bushy Eyebrow's absence, and it is best to partner with Thick Eyebrow in the "Twin Towers".
They need a ball-handler who can really eat the ball, can break through and create space, can play against the team on their own, and preferably can be on the court at the same time as LeBron.
To put it simply, a No. 5 position, a No. 1 position, of which the No. 5 position has relatively low requirements, and the No. 1 position is to be able to carry the banner when you come over, at least with Schroeder's attendance rate + Russell's game efficiency last season.
As one of the league's "team to beat" teams, it wasn't easy to get the deal right.
LaVine can't support the team's offense in terms of ability, and he still has a four-year contract of 178 million in the future, which can't play a role in reducing the burden on James.
Murray's asking price for the Hawks will not drop, at least three first-rounders (including swaps), and these chips are reserved for a star of Irving's level, not to mention that his projection ability may be even more annoying for Lakers fans.
These two targets, which have already been put on the table, are now attracting too much attention, and the pressure to negotiate is too great. When there is a stir, it affects the mood of too many people(Remember how the Lakers collapsed in the second half of the 2018-19 season?)
Compared to them, with James still healthy this season, even playing at almost the best game efficiency in recent years, and even Reaves returning to the bench to return to last season's sharpness, the Lakers have a number of solutions that are more suitable, but somewhat easier to operate.
(1) Olynyk center Jazz, 12.2 million left in one year
A high-quality inside line that has been troughed and ignored can be four or five. At 32, he's the Jazz's best tandem, but it's likely not on the team's future plans. His shooting (41.0 percent three-point shooting), defense, and playmaking are all needed by the Lakers.
What's more, the Jazz are currently lacking a primary guard, and Russell would be a nice reinforcement for them.
(2) Brogdon guard Trail Blazers has 2 years left and 45 million
An excellent guard who has been buried, can play support on strong teams (Bucks, Celtics) and as the core of weak teams (Pacers, Trail Blazers). Now in Portland, he acts as a "kindergarten teacher".
He's probably the best guard the Lakers can get without breaking the muscles, the only questions are his health and attendance.
As long as he stays healthy, the Lakers get him and have their own "Derrick White."
(3) Gafford center Wizards is still 40.2 million in three years
The 25-year-old, 2.08-meter-eater center has played the best performance of his career this season. In 25.7 minutes, he took 6.4 shots and finished with 10.8 points, 7.7 rebounds and 2.2 blocks.
At the same time, it can be called the only "fig leaf" of the Wizards on the defensive end, and has a good performance in protecting the basket and changing defenses, and the shooting rate of opponents under the basket is -7.9%.
The only two issues are the length of his contract and the Wizards' asking price for the starting center this season.
Are the Lakers willing to put a backup center on a multi-million contract?
(4) Schroder guard Raptors is still 25.5 million in 2 years
Don't ignore the possibility of Little Black Brother "entering the palace three times" Lakers!
With the addition of Quickley, his status with the Raptors has been affected, with three of the last four games off the bench, and Ham's preference for the old division is well known.
What's more, Schroder also meets all the Lakers' requirements for guards, not to mention that the integration with Zhan Mei is also seamless.
The only problem is that if Vincent can't recover before the playoffs, the Lakers run the risk of being crushed by a muscular guard like Jamal Murray.
(5) Bitadze center Magic has two years left on his final salary
This is the most cost-effective center the Lakers can get right now.
After being cut by the Pacers last season, he saved his career with the Magic. This season, starting center Wendell Carter took over after suffering a broken palm. Played in 30 games, averaging 7.4 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game in 20.5 minutes.
He is currently the best backup center in the league other than Nazel Reed (Timberwolves) and Hartenstein (Knicks).
He received a base salary for both seasons with the Magic, which can be described as a super cost-effective contract. Now that Carter has returned from injury, it gives other teams the possibility of poaching him.
Considering that the Lakers and the Magic have always had a good relationship, maybe it could really be a good center to send the Lakers again.
Of course, the above conjectures are also "speculations" based on the needs of the Lakers team and the reality of each team, and the introduction of one of them is a great success for the Lakers.
What's more, even with these people joining, the Lakers are still a complete team with Zhan Mei as the core, and summer recruits and contract renewals as the core team.
A mature team with championship goals is not just a mid-season trade that can be upgraded and cured.
The strong play of the core and the growth of internal potential are the most stable and efficient growth methods.
Rather than expecting Pelinka's genius, it is better to pay more attention to the on-court performance of the Lakers' current players.