The deal is going to be miscarried! Refusing to give the Lakers 18+4 forward line, I m sorry, James, he still can t forgive you

Last season, the Lakers lost 1-4 to the Timberwolves in the first round of the playoffs, and were defeated by their opponents in the "Black Six" counterattack. The loss in this series is undoubtedly a heavy blow to the Lakers, especially the team has the superstar combination of James and Doncic, but has failed to show the dominance it deserves. The failure exposed the shortcomings of the Lakers' lineup: insufficient depth of the inside and forward lines. Although Doncic showed excellent offensive ability as the core of the ball, the team's shortcomings in defensive and inside confrontation made them difficult in the playoffs. The offseason adjustment has brought new hope for the Lakers, but if the team wants to return to the championship ranks, they still need to take greater steps in lineup strengthening.

In fact, Pelinka already knows the situation. The team's offensive firepower is enough, and Doncic's ball-holding ability and offensive ability are top-notch. However, the weak backcourt defense became the team's weakness, especially Reeves. As a point guard, Doncic actually needs a point guard partner with excellent defensive skills to make up for his shortcomings on the defensive end. The ideal template is Klay Thompson at his peak, a 3D player with both offense and defense. If the second-level choice is chosen, Lakers fans may miss Christie who was traded. If the Lakers could retain Christie in the deal with the Mavericks, perhaps the results in the first round would be different. In terms of the inside, the Lakers' problems are more obvious. Last season, the team relied heavily on Davis in the center position. After being sent away to replace Doncic, substitute center Hayes became the starter, but the performance was unsatisfactory. After Mawei was returned by the Lakers, Doncic made Doncic even more difficult to get in the inside. Fortunately, during the offseason, the Lakers signed Ayton at 0, and the arrival of the young center provided breathing room for the inside. Ayton's rebounding protection and inside scoring ability make the Lakers more confident on both offense and defense, but the weakness of the substitute lineup is still a hidden danger. Among the substitute inside, only Hayes and Vanderbilt can be used, while Kleber and Christian have limited contributions. The good news is that Pelinka showed confidence in an interview today. He said that the team will not stop at the existing lineup and will continue to improve its strength through trading and signings. Pelinka clearly mentioned that the Lakers' goal is to strive for the 18th championship in the team's history around the "Emperor combination" of James and Doncic. However, to achieve this goal, the Lakers need to further strengthen on the front line and inside substitutes. In terms of forward strengthening, the Lakers are still focusing on Andrew Wiggins. The 30-year-old striker's scandal with the Lakers has been going on for some time. Famous reporter Marc Stein once reported that the Lakers showed strong interest in introducing a forward player with both offense and defense, and Wiggins was undoubtedly the ideal candidate.

When in a weak team, Wiggins' performance was average and was even dubbed "Goodberry Brother". But in a strong team environment, his potential is completely stimulated. Wiggins' performance in the finals is crucial when the Warriors win the championship in 2022. His defensive restrictions on Tatum and Brown have made the opponent miserable, and he can also contribute stable scoring on the offensive end. Last season, Wiggins averaged 18 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game, shooting 44.8% from the field and 37.4% from three-point shooting percentage. His contract is $28.2 million next season and has a $30.2 million player option for the 2026-27 season.

Wiggins' offensive and defensive balance and playoff experience are exactly what the Lakers need. His arrival can effectively improve the thickness and defensive strength of the team's forward line. However, the Lakers and the Heat's trade negotiations about Wiggins were deadlocked. The Lakers hope to use rookie Kneckett to add some expiring contracts as bargaining chips, but the Heat insist on providing an additional first-round pick. The most valuable draft picks in the hands of the Lakers are the first round picks in 2031 and 2032, but considering the uncertainty of Doncic's condition at that time, the Lakers are cautious about giving out these long-term assets.

Heat are not in a hurry to trade Wiggins. As a 30-year-old all-around forward, Wiggins' trading market still has potential, and the Heat hope to wait for a better offer. In addition, the historical grudge between Heat President Pat Riley and James also added variables to the deal. In 2014, James left the Heat and returned to the Cavaliers, which left Riley in a grudge. US media Fullcourtpass reposted Lakers Daily's report, pointing out that Riley may not be willing to trade Wiggins to help James win the championship again.

Lakers Daily's comment frankly stated: "If Riley really sent Wiggins to the Lakers, I would be shocked. He is still angry about James' departure that year and is unlikely to help James realize his dream of winning."

Although the trading prospects are unclear, Wiggins is still the Lakers' first choice for strengthening the front line. His joining not only improves the team's defensive strength, but also shares offensive pressure for Doncic, allowing James to focus more on leading the team at critical moments. Perhaps the Lakers can consider sending Reeves away first. His offensive performance is remarkable, but his defensive ability has similar shortcomings to Doncic. When the two were on the court at the same time, the Lakers' backcourt defense loopholes were obvious. Reeves' contract negotiations have also reached a deadlock, with Lakers management considering sending them away through a deal in exchange for players who are more suitable for the team's system. Otherwise, the combination of Doncic and Reeves' defensive weaknesses will be the target of opponents in the playoffs.