LeBron James is expected to take the maximum contract offer from the Los Angeles Lakers after the team’s failure to sign Klay Thompson. According to Adrian Wojnarowski:
“For the Lakers, I think ultimately LeBron James probably takes that full max because the kind of impact player they hoped they could get is not available to them.”
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The Lakers were in the race for Klay Thompson, desperate to add firepower and give LeBron the support he needs to win another title. But what happens? Thompson jumps ship to the Dallas Mavericks on a three-year, $50 million deal. This leaves the Lakers, and LeBron, high and dry.
LeBron was willing to make a serious sacrifice, willing to slash his salary from the max of three years, $162 million. He was even ready to cut $20 million from his paycheck to bring in Thompson. LeBron himself reached out to Klay, trying to pull him into the Lakers fold. But it wasn’t enough, and the Lakers’ front office couldn’t close the deal.
Now, with no other significant players left in free agency, LeBron is left with no choice but to take the full max contract. This is not what he wanted. He wanted to build a superteam, to make another championship run possible. Instead, he’s stuck watching the Lakers’ management fumble yet another opportunity.
This debacle leaves the Lakers scrambling. They needed Thompson’s elite shooting and defense to pair with LeBron and Anthony Davis. Thompson would have provided a critical boost, spreading the floor and locking down opponents. Instead, the Lakers are back to square one, searching for other options to patch up a roster that isn’t good enough as it stands.
So here we are. LeBron James, forced to take the full max contract, stuck with a team that couldn’t deliver the support he needs. The Lakers better wake up and figure out a way to fix this mess, or they’ll be wasting the twilight years of one of the greatest players in NBA history.
The Lakers Need To Go Out And Get DeMar DeRozan
The Los Angeles Lakers need to act swiftly and pursue DeMar DeRozan. According to Brian Windhorst, DeRozan is among the players for whom LeBron James is willing to take a pay cut. While acquiring DeRozan might be more challenging and costly compared to Klay Thompson, it is a move the Lakers must consider to elevate their roster.
The Lakers are nearly identical to last season’s squad, with the only significant change being a new head coach. Running it back with the same team is unlikely to yield different results. The current roster has shown its limitations, particularly when facing the elite competition in the Western Conference.
DeRozan, a prolific scorer and seasoned veteran, can provide the Lakers with the offensive firepower they desperately need. Last season, he averaged 24.0 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game while shooting 48.0% from the field. His ability to create his own shot and facilitate for others would alleviate some of the offensive burdens on LeBron and Anthony Davis.
Moreover, DeRozan’s mid-range game and ability to drive to the basket offer a different dimension to the Lakers’ offense. His presence would create more spacing and open opportunities for LeBron and Davis to operate. Additionally, DeRozan’s experience and leadership could be invaluable in high-stakes playoff scenarios.
While acquiring DeRozan would be more complex and expensive, the Lakers have the assets and motivation to make it happen. They can explore trade options, including potentially moving players like D’Angelo Russell, Rui Hachimura, or Jarred Vanderbilt, to create the necessary cap space. Utilizing their available first-round picks in a trade package could also sweeten the deal.
The urgency for the Lakers to make a significant move cannot be overstated. Standing pat with the current roster is not a viable option if they aim to compete for a championship. The Western Conference is stacked with talent, and the Lakers need to upgrade their roster to keep pace with other contenders.
The Lakers should aggressively pursue DeMar DeRozan to bolster their lineup. His scoring ability, experience, and versatility would make a substantial impact, providing the Lakers with a better chance to compete for another NBA title.
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