The Lakers reinforcement was blocked, and the lineup added new variables! Mark Walter is in two major difficulties!

In the 2024-2025 season, the Lakers shocked the NBA league with two major earthquake-level deals: one was that Doncic and Davis exchanged their bosses, which received unanimous praise from the outside world; the other was that Mark Walter spent 10 billion to acquire 85% of the Lakers' shares, becoming one of the most arrogant bosses in the NBA. The outside world is full of expectations for the Lakers' prospects.

Things went against my expectations. So far, the expected reinforcement has not happened after the Lakers were eliminated in the first round. At a time when the trading market is extremely active, Lakers fans began to question the management's inaction. It was not until June 27 that news came from the Lakers that had been silent for a long time. Not only did the lineup strengthen and encountered obstacles, but the current lineup would also face tests. Mark Walter was in two major difficulties.

James is expected to implement the player option, and the team's reinforcement space will be locked directly.

According to Lakers, James is expected to implement the player option of 52.6 million yuan next season, which runs contrary to fans' expectations of pay cuts and contract renewals and strengthening the lineup. Once James executes the player option, the Lakers only have 5.7 million exceptions left to strengthen the signing. The Lakers' current lineup is abnormal, center Hayes is unusable, and it is abandoned directly in the playoffs. The team plans to sign a center with strong mobile capabilities and a pie-type in the offseason. The salary is at least about 20 million, and the salary space of 5.7 million US dollars is not enough to solve the problems faced by the team.

Last season, James also planned to reduce his salary and renew his contract to help the team strengthen, but there were restrictions. In the end, the two sides failed to reach an agreement to renew the contract with a maximum salary. This season, James directly implemented the player option, locking the team's salary space. The team's current lineup has no chance of competing for the championship.

Rivers rejected the team's four-year, 89.2 million contract, and left the team to enter the countdown.

2024-2025 season, Rivers performed well in the regular season, averaged 20.2 points, 4.5 rebounds and 5.8 assists per game, shooting percentage of 46.0%, and three-point shooting percentage of 37.7%. He is a quasi-All-Star and his personal score has also reached a career high. He has made rapid progress compared to last season and his scoring ability is no less than that of ordinary All-Star players, but his defense is weak.

Judging from Rivers' contribution to the team, it is worth a four-year, 120 million yuan contract. The new contract offered by the team is too small and cannot match its strength at all. After rejecting the new contract offered by the Lakers, Rivers will most likely leave the team, maximize personal interests and pursue a larger contract. If Rivers cannot stay in the team, the Lakers may trade him in exchange for a center with a stronger strength than Hayes, but the loophole of 20 points per game is difficult to make up, especially if James is one year older, his personal data will also decline. The Lakers in the new season may be more difficult than this season, and the prospect of winning the championship is dim.

Since Mark Walter took over the team, the expected reinforcement has not arrived, and the original lineup may not be guaranteed. The team's strength is about to decline sharply, which is also the biggest problem encountered by the Lakers during the revision of the season. Once Mark Walter cannot effectively resolve it, the Lakers will have no chance of winning the championship, and James may leave next season.