This year's offseason is destined to be an extraordinary off-season for the Lakers. After a disappointing playoff season, the championship-winning giants are bound to regroup in the offseason. Their first problem is still with the starting point guard, and as of today, the farce between the Lakers and Schroeder is not over.
Schroeder's eyes are low, and he asks for a contract of 100 million yuan, but everyone knows that he is not worth the price, and the Lakers are not stupid for money. However, Schroeder grabbed the handle of the Lakers and signed him as the lakers' most secure way to reinforce, making him more emboldened. If Schroeder is let go in vain, the Lakers can only choose among the bottom salary players.
The Lakers don't have to hang themselves from a tree. Their operating space is still relatively flexible, giving enough contracts, signing first and then changing is also a way of reinforcement.
According to NBA sources, if Paul and the Suns fail to reach a contract extension, the Lakers and Knicks will be Paul's potential chasers.
According to previous reports, the Lakers will also pursue Anthony. There are signs that James may be playing brother basketball in his twilight years. Once the four heroes of the wind and dust, Wade has retired early, the remaining James is still a first-line supergiant, and Anthony also has the strength of a battle.
Paul has proven that the 36-year-old is still a top star in the league. In this season's regular season, he has been ranked fourth in the MVP list, and although his personal data is mediocre, his role in the team's gain is not reflected in the data. And by the playoffs, after a crucial game for the Clippers, he scored 41 points.
If he can successfully join the Lakers, then all the problems of the Lakers will be solved. Paul and James are both historic masters of field control, and their ability to comb through the team's offense is at the top of history. Davis can also block with Paul to maximize Davis' ability on the offensive end. Anthony, on the other hand, is also a stable point of attack, and it is difficult for him to score points as a substitute.
However, the ideal is beautiful, but the reality is cruel. Lakers, what do you want to trade Paul? The only way is to use Schroeder's contract extension to sign first and then exchange, but Schroeder's unwillingness to give in has led to his contract being necessarily a premium contract.
The Suns are not saying that without Paul will be torn down and rebuilt, their core team is still there, looking for another candidate to replace Paul (Conley) can still impact the championship. And the Lakers' best chip, Schroeder + Kuzma, can not attract the Suns, can only say that the Chances of the Lakers getting Paul are slim.
And Paul also has no reason not to stay in the Suns, even if this year's championship failure, as long as the Suns are willing to renew his contract, I believe Paul will still be willing to stay in Phoenix. However, this year's Suns, the probability of winning the championship is not small, which means that Paul is even less likely to leave.
After all, Paul, who is approaching the twilight of his career, the next contract may be his last, he will inevitably choose a team that is safe and has the hope of winning the championship, and the Sun is still on the rise, which is undoubtedly the best team for Paul. In 16 years, he stood on the stage of the finals for the first time, which meant a lot to Paul. We have no doubt that Paul will live forever.
The Lakers in the offseason are not difficult to operate. The Lakers' dismal salary space, so that the best way for them to strengthen now, can only focus on Schroeder's contract. Schroeder's strength, the outside world is also obvious to all, 20 million a year has reached the top, no matter how big the contract will only make him a garbage contract. If you want to rely on trades to strengthen, the Lakers' trading chips are uncompetitive in the free market, and the trade prospects of the two young players Kuzma and Tucker are not good.
Unless Paul himself wants to play brother basketball, it will be difficult for the Lakers to gather together in the three heroes.