16.6 million in 2 years, the Lakers found the treasure! US media has supported Ayton for 3 major reasons: Best opportunity after the finals

2 years, $16.6 million, the Lakers picked up a treasure! US media "SI" listed three major reasons to support the new aid Ayton of the Purple and Gold Army. ESPN famous reporter Kevin Pelton even bluntly stated that Ayton will face the best opportunity to prove himself after following the Suns to the finals in the new season in 21 years.

The Lakers bought 16.6 million in the bottom of the game in 2 years. Compared with the past few seasons, the Lakers have seemed very restrained in trading and free markets this summer. Especially after James executed a $52.6 million player option to stay in the team, the Lakers have not conducted any trading operations so far.

Such cautious operation style is in sharp contrast to the Lakers' drastic lineup adjustments in the past offseasons, and the core reason for such a huge change in operation style is Doncic's joining and James' aging.

Under the background of the young Doncic who got traded last season and the old James was unwilling to cut his salary in the offseason, the Lakers are undergoing a change in the team-building core. Doncic's importance has exceeded that of James who is entering the end of his career.

Therefore, in the face of James' frequent pressure from his agent after executing the player option to stay in the team, the Lakers management rarely responded with a cold attitude, insisting on leaving more chips and salary space for Doncic.

The Lakers plan to free up their salary space in 27 years so as to sign another superstar helper for Doncic after James left, so they are unwilling to take over the long contract in the trade, which is one of the important reasons why the Lakers failed to complete any trading operations this summer.

Under such a background, the Lakers have introduced three new players, Laravia, Ayton and Smart through flexible operations. Among them, signing Ayton for 16.6 million in two years is undoubtedly the largest move and the most controversial signing.

The US media has strongly supported Ayton

Due to Ayton's weak style of playing, she has obviously lacked motivation on the court in the past few seasons, which has led to the Lakers' signing of Ayton at a low price and still has doubts from the outside world.

For this reason, the US media "SI" posted three major reasons to support Ayton, believing that he will have the best chance to prove himself after the 21-year finals next to James and Doncic.

Reason 1: The urgent need for inside line

Compared with the team Ayton was in the past, the Lakers have obvious shortcomings in the interior. Last season, Hayes, a substitute blue-collar insider, was almost only available. The poor inside line configuration and depth once forced Redick to take 5 small lineups for a long time in the playoffs.

This means that Ayton will be the best candidate for the Lakers' starting center, and the Lakers will not have too high requirements for him, after all, the team's desire for the inside is too strong.

Reason 2: Partners James and Doncic

James and Doncic are both historical ball holders and organizers, and will create a large number of opportunities for Ayton to score easily.

According to GeniusIQ statistics, the finishing efficiency of players who have played pick-and-roll screens with Doncic so far in their career has reached 63%, ranking first among the players who have created offensive opportunities at least 500 times.

, and there is another top ball holder, James, beside him. I believe Ayton will have the best offensive space and opportunity in his career so far in the Lakers.

Reason 3: The motivation for self-provement

From being on the maximum salary to being bought out, Ayton is experiencing the most difficult stage of his career. Joining the Lakers means more exposure, and with great pressure, he needs to re-prove his status and value in the league.

Otherwise, after the end of this contract, Ayton will completely lose his value, so he will inevitably have additional self-certification motivation in the new season.

And the motivation on both offense and defense is exactly what Ayton lacks most in his career. If he changes his previous "clean-obsessed" defensive performance, the Lakers' two-year $16.6 million contract will be copied.