Bombarded 23 points and 33 rebounds, congratulations to the Lakers, the swingman who is a strong forward will rush to help James in time, the two advantages perfectly fit the team, and the Lakers are looking for active changes with two referees and one signing!
Text: Lao Kan Kanqiu
Editor|Lao Kan Kanqiu
At the beginning of the season, the Lakers showed great strength. In the NBA's first mid-season tournament, the Lakers won all six games in the knockout stage, and they went all the way to the championship. This series of victories has many fans looking forward to the Lakers, who believe that the Lakers are about to have a strong season with a high spirit.
However, what is surprising is that the Lakers' performance after winning the midseason was a big surprise. Over the next 13 games, the Lakers finished with just 3 wins and 10 losses. They have won against teams like the Hornets and Spurs, and against strong teams, the Lakers have been completely incomparable. Today's Lakers have also suffered a wave of 4 consecutive defeats, which has seriously affected their rankings and records.
After a string of failures, the Los Angeles Lakers have clearly realized that it's time to make some changes. According to well-known journalist Woj, the Lakers officially signed Dylan Windler, a swingman who plays in the G League, today. Wendler, who just turned 27 this year and is 1.98 meters tall, has scored 23 points and 33 rebounds in a single game in the G League, setting a record for the highest single-game rebounds in the G League.
To make room for Windler, the Lakers announced the elimination of two-way contract players Vodge and Hodge. After this operation of "two cuts and one sign", the Lakers' 14+2 lineup was officially released. There is still one vacancy on the regular roster and one on a two-way contract roster, which also means that the Lakers have the possibility of further roster adjustments.
Vindler, the Cavaliers' 2019 first-round pick No. 26, had high hopes when he entered the league. His first season was truly impressive, averaging 5.3 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.1 assists off the bench, but he couldn't escape injury. Injuries have seen him play less minutes and fade out of the rotation. In August 2023, Wendler signed with the Knicks, but the good times were short-lived, and on December 15 of the same year, he was cut by the team again. Despite a series of setbacks, Windler did not give up on his basketball dream. He started playing in the G League, and in a game last Friday, he shone with 23 points and 33 rebounds on his own, which was a staggering statistic, and 33 rebounds were also a record high in the G League.
Pelinka, the Lakers' general manager, keenly captured Wendler's potential and talent and made a decisive move to sign him. Vindler's college basketball career has shown two of his strengths: three-point shooting and rebounding. According to the data provided by the Scouting Report, Wendeler shot very well during his college years, shooting 218 of 533 three-pointers and shooting a whopping 40.7 percent. Not only that, but he also averaged 7.9 rebounds per game, showing his talent in rebounding contention.
Obviously, the Lakers' current three-point shooting and rebounding performance is not ideal, and signing Wendeler is obviously rushing to make up for these two shortcomings. So far, the Lakers have shot just 35.1% from three-point range and averaged just 10.6 three-pointers per game, ranking second to last in the league. In addition, the Lakers are also at an absolute disadvantage in the competition for rebounds, averaging only 8.4 frontcourt rebounds per game, ranking third from the bottom in the league. Therefore, Vindler's three-point shooting and rebounding are undoubtedly a perfect fit for today's Lakers.
The addition of Vindler not only adds new strength to the Lakers' roster, but also brings more tactical options. His height and athleticism allow him to adapt to different positions and roles on the field. Vindler's scoring and rebounding ability, as well as his defensive and playmaking abilities, will open up more tactical possibilities for the Lakers.
John Hollinger, an American media data analysis expert, spoke highly of the signing of the Lakers. He believes that Vindler is a good shooter who can play not only the No. 3 position, but also the No. 4 position, and he is a good fit for the Lakers. In John Hollinger's view, the addition of Windler will undoubtedly have a positive impact on the Lakers, but he also made it clear that a two-way contract player will not save the Lakers for an entire season.
It's true that Vindler is a great addition for the Lakers, however, to really change the status quo for the Lakers, relying on a two-way contract player is clearly not enough. The Lakers need to make more changes, especially when it comes to the coaching staff. Head coach Darvin Ham's tactical set-up and personnel scheduling have been controversial, and if the Lakers are to make a difference this season, Ham's adjustments and changes are essential.