After the coach confirmed JJ Redick, the next step for the Lakers in the offseason was to strengthen it.
Given that Russell has a player option, the best way for the Lakers to leave is to sign for him. Considering that the Magic are interested in Russell, the Lakers could sign Isaac/Wendell Carter.
Of course, the signing requires Russell's cooperation, and it also requires the cooperation of magic. It depends on the operational ability of the Lakers management.
Meanwhile, the Bulls, who are also potential regroupers, traded ahead of the Hawks to send Caruso to the Thunder in exchange for Giddey.
In the regular season, Caruso had a 40.8% three-point percentage and averaged 1.9 goals per game, and on the defensive end, he had a true plus/minus of 2.3. What's more important is to be in the Defensive Team of the Year for two consecutive seasons – first last season and second this season.
Statistically, Caruso has transformed into the league's top 3D.
In the playoffs, the Thunder had a net efficiency of 4.1 when Giddey was on the floor and 10.1 when he wasn't. The difference of -6.0 means that the Thunder outscored their opponents by 6.0 points per 100 rounds when Giddey was not on the court. Obviously, Giddey is not that irreplaceable for the Thunder, and it can even be said that there is none.
Looking at it this way, the thunder made money in the case of one for one.
For the Bulls, Giddey is only 21 years old, and there is still a lot of potential to be tapped. In addition, judging from his career average of 5.7 assists per game, he can also get rid of Lonzo Ball. Later, news was revealed that the Bulls were ready to cut "Brother Ball".
With top-tier 3-and-D giving away for almost nothing, and preparing to cut Ball, it seems that the Bulls are really planning to restructure the roster. Speaking of which, we have to mention Zach Lavin.
First of all, the Bulls have been peddling LaVine this season but have never been able to do so. Now with Caruso leaving, it is largely seen that LaVine's departure has also entered the countdown. What to note about Ravan is:
1. The Bulls averaged 24+5 per game in their career, and were selected as All-Stars twice;
2. There is still a three-year 138 million contract this summer;
3. The agent is Rich Paul.
The first two points are very intuitive, let's talk about the third point.
Paul's relationship with the Lakers, to be precise, with James is extraordinary. In addition, LaVine is due to injuries and has a big contract. It's not hard to understand why the two-time All-Star is often associated with the Lakers, and there is even news that LaVine will join the Lakers this summer.
For this, my understanding: LaVine's joining the Lakers is not necessarily a good thing for the thick eyebrows.
It is not denied that LaVine's 24+5 data in the regular season is not inferior to Irving, Booker and others, but the problem is that LaVine has never proven himself in the playoffs. Such a scene is very reminiscent of Russell. Truth be told, Russell is not criticized for the regular season but for the playoffs.
In other words, the pressure on both offensive and defensive ends of the playoffs will come, especially on the offensive end.
In terms of data, compared to 22.6% in the regular season, in the playoffs, the proportion of thick eyebrows shooting under the defender's 2-4 foot high-intensity defense has reached 27.9%.
The increase in the proportion of high-intensity shots has brought an increase in efficiency and injuries.