The 2021-22 NBA season is getting closer and closer to the start of the game, and each team has seized the opportunity to make a final reinforcement. Among them, the strongest favorite team in the West to win the championship is the Los Angeles Lakers. After the Lakers have successively strengthened Westbrook, Ariza, Rondo, Howard, etc., they have been exposed to the news of intentionally strengthening the backcourt in recent days, and this plan is obviously suspected of targeting rival Golden State Warriors.
According to US media reporter Shams Charania, the Lakers are likely to plan to sign a two-year formal contract with two-way contract player Austin Reaves. As a 6ft 5-inch guard, Rivers was able to play a comprehensive number of 11.4 points, 6.2 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.6 steals and 1 block in the summer league. It is worth mentioning that Rivers can not only provide offensive firepower output on the flanks and backcourt, but also provide good defensive ability when the outside line is short.
For the Lakers, there are now 13 guaranteed contracts on the entire team roster. If Rivers were to occupy the 14th spot, Ennis, who had been rumored earlier, would probably have no chance with the Purple and Gold. After all, the Lakers should not sign any more regular season roster members before the start of the regular season, but leave a vacancy in case of emergency. In this regard, many fans are not optimistic about the Lakers' choice to sign Rivers and abandon Ennis, and the outside world seems to be more optimistic about the latter's greater role in the Purple and Gold Army.
Judging from the comparison between Ennis and Rivers, Ennis's immediate combat strength is obviously more suitable for the Lakers. Last season, Ennis averaged 8.4 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 0.8 steals per game during his time with the Magic. After tactical arrangements and personal improvements, Ennis's three-point shooting and defensive ability has been very good. Such 3D players are what the Lakers need, and their effect with LeBron James, thick-browed anthony Davis, and Westbrook is obviously better.
The Lakers also need Ennis to alleviate the pressure on James and Ariza in the No. 3 position and ensure the advantage of the front line in the game. And Rivers is obviously the Lakers pay more attention to the choice of the backcourt, which is most likely aimed at the Golden State Warriors who are rising in the new season. You know, the Warriors' strongest core splash brothers Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson are likely to stage the game of the return of the king, and they may become the biggest threat to the Lakers to break through the West, and they are also one of the strongest opponents to win the championship.
In summary, perhaps the Lakers chose Rivers and abandoned Ennis in order to better face the Warriors' backcourt Curry + Klay combination, so as to ensure that the team can rush out of the West and win the championship to a greater extent.