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James was willing to take a $20 million pay cut, but the Lakers' three goals fell short
The Los Angeles Lakers' summer campaign was in the spotlight, but unfortunately, the Lakers failed to bring in Klay Thompson, James Harden and Jonas Valanciunas, despite LeBron James' willingness to take a $20 million pay cut. The expectations of Lakers fans were disappointed, and the team faced huge pressure from public opinion. Nick Wright was unsparing in his criticism of general manager Rob Pelinka, arguing that the team's actions were puzzling when it had one of the greatest players of our era.
名嘴Nick Wright的尖锐批评
Nick Wright's criticism undoubtedly pointed the finger at Pelinka's management skills. He said: "Pelinka's incompetence is puzzling, you have the greatest player of our time in your squad and he's willing to take a pay cut to bring in reinforcements for the team. Such sharp remarks reflect the dissatisfaction with Lakers management and add pressure to Pelinka. The Lakers' performance on free agency was a real disappointment, especially with James willing to sacrifice his personal income for the team.
Renewing Christie's contract, the Lakers are still silent
As of 10:30 a.m. Beijing time on July 2, the Lakers' only move was to renew Christie's contract for 4 years and 32 million. This is undoubtedly a positive move, but it is far from enough relative to the expectations of Lakers fans. The Los Angeles Clippers next door, although losing Paul George, quickly signed James Harden to a contract extension and also signed Derrick Jones Jr., Kevin Porter Jr., Nicholas Batum, Chris Dunn and Muhammad Bamba. The Lakers' operation pales in comparison.
Droz is in favor of the new target, but there are many problems
After the failed signing, the Lakers turned their attention to DeMar DeRozan. Team reporter Jovan Buha said that the Lakers have made DeRozan a new target, and James is also willing to take a pay cut for him. However, DeRozan has two main problems: first, he is not a player who can open up space; Second, his defensive prowess is below the league average. DeRozan needs to have the ball in his hands to play effectively, and while his mid-range shooting ability is strong, his long-range shooting ability is average.
Grant may be a more suitable choice
Compared to DeRozan, Jerami Grant may be a better option for the Lakers. Grant's defensive prowess stands out, shooting above 40 percent from three-point range for the past two seasons. Buha noted that while DeRozan is a better player, Grant is more in tune with the Lakers' needs. If the Lakers can bring in Grant, the team's defense and three-point ability will be significantly improved.
Complex deal to bring in DeRozan
In order to bring in DeRozan, the Lakers may have to make a trade with a third-party team. Fischer pointed out that the Lakers may need to send away D'Angelo Russell or Gaby Vincent. The Nets have been open to Russell's return since the last trade deadline. However, with Russell replaced by DeRozan, it remains to be seen whether the Lakers will be able to get a significant improvement. Whether DeRozan's addition can make up for the Lakers' current shortcomings will need to be tested by time.
Other potential targets
In addition to DeRozan, the American media also mentioned Tyus Jones, Gary Trent Jr., Lee Kyle and Buddy Heard. Tyus Jones is an efficient shooter who can play as a second handler and defends well. Trent Jr. is good at outside shooting and can solve the Lakers' shooting problems, but his defense is mediocre. Lee Kyle is a solid defender, but his three-point shot is inconsistent. Hield is one of the league's top scorers and fits the Lakers' three-point system.
The Lakers' future path: Interesting
The Lakers' next move is interesting. Teams need to make a difference in the free market to meet the expectations of fans and the media. DeRozan, Tyus Jones, Trent Jr., Lee Kyle and Hield are all players with strengths and weaknesses that the Lakers must choose carefully. Whether James' sacrifice of salary cut can be exchanged for the success of the team's rebuilding has become the focus of everyone's attention.
Controversy and expectation coexist
Every step of the Lakers management's actions will be in the spotlight of fans and media. It will be interesting to see if Pelinka can turn things around this summer and bring new hope to the team. But there are also many voices questioning whether the Lakers can rise in the competitive West even if DeRozan or other players are brought in, which is still full of controversy. Ultimately, whether the Lakers can break through this summer will be a hot topic throughout the NBA.