James is willing to reduce his salary to stay in the Lakers, but his fans support rating is actually inferior to that of a role player. How can the Lakers please both sides?

The Lakers were just eliminated, and the offseason has not officially started. The topics about James' stay or not, salary cuts, and role distribution have already exploded in the Los Angeles fan circle. This matter is actually being hyped every year, but the gunpowder smell is a bit different this year, because this time James is not simply being "remained or not, but being placed in a subtle position: on one side, his attitude of "willing to reduce salary, and on the other side, the support rate of the fans is overtaken by his teammates. This is to be put three years ago. Who dares to believe that the problem is actually very naked. What is the Lakers lacking the most now, core combat power, lineup depth, and salary space No one can be lost. Doncic has arrived. The management has also made it clear that he needs to make up a reliable center and handle the outside defense. In this operation, every transaction has to be calculated by paying the salary cap. However, six contracts in the team expire. James and Finney Smith also have player options. Whether they can keep them all depends on who is willing to give in. In this situation, James chose to cut his salary again. It is logical that he should win one-sided applause, but the reality is far less simple

A survey on Lakers fans was placed on the table. James's approval rating was only 79%. As soon as this data came out, the comment section was directly divided into two factions: one faction found it incredible. After all, as a historical superstar and the number one hero of the Lakers' revival, his status should be unshakable. Another faction calmly analyzed that James is really unable to stand alone now. The salary is too high to strengthen. Fans want the championship, and their feelings can be had, but they cannot affect the team's operation. It makes sense.

Speaking of this, don't rush to criticize first. Let's break up the situation rationally. James can indeed play. He entered the best lineup in the regular season and won the best of the month. He still has deterrent power on the court. However, facing the Timberwolves in this season's playoffs, he obviously has no ability to do both offense and defense, and his efficiency at critical moments can be seen declining. Age is the biggest ceiling. Even if James does not accept his old age, his health and recovery speed no longer allow him to do so like the peak. Carry the whole team for one season, one season

Looking at the Lakers' management's calculations, this team has its own traditions, and core merits are generally favored. The two big contracts before Kobe retired are the most typical examples. There is no problem with this logic. James came to the Lakers to help Jenny stabilize his power, led the team to win the championship, and brought commercial traffic. The Lakers are of course willing to give him a maximum salary. After all, as long as James is here, media exposure, ticket income, and advertising will not be bad. Doncic is here It's even more like a tiger, but winning is the hard truth. This is also the most realistic demand for Lakers fans.

The problem is here. Keep James with the maximum salary, and how can he strengthen the other positions be strengthened? You can know this. 40-year-old James gets the maximum salary again, and the money that can be allocated to other positions will be less. The Lakers cannot expect that the basic salary will become a hot commodity. In the end, it will become the kind of "the four giants bring a bunch of scraps, and they will collapse when they encounter injuries in the playoffs. Don't forget that last year's offseason, James actually cut his salary by three million. It's not much, but his attitude is there. He is willing to further reduce his salary and make room for the Lakers. This operation itself is not hard. Injury

But a new problem is coming again. The value of role players is getting higher and higher in modern basketball. Finney Smith and Goodwin, a 3D, offense and defense-aligned small characters like Finney Smith and Goodwin, have become a hot spot in the eyes of fans. This also explains why James' support rating is overtaken by his teammates. Everyone knows that without a useful puzzle player, the Big Three can be played in the first round. The playoffs are so cruel. What the Lakers want is a puzzle that can support the game, not a lineup that only looks at the face of big brands. Back to James himself, he has actually been mentally prepared for a long time. The salary cut is not a problem. The key is whether the roles have to shrink as well. After all, James now has to take into account both scoring, organization and defense. He is so old that he can play the game. If he is so full, the risk of injury will only increase. He really needs to learn from Duncan and Nowitzki, "veterans leading new players to share more burdens, and keep their energy for key games outbreaks. Perhaps the best solution is the best solution

As for the Lakers management, how to find a balance between "feelings and" reinforcement is the most core challenge next season. It is necessary to ensure that James stays in the team with a decent attitude and continues to bring business and attention, but also upgrade the overall lineup. Don't completely lock the window for the championship. To put it bluntly It's a lose-lose game. James cuts his salary and role, so the Lakers can have room to make up for the people. Is it realistic to expect the management to retain James and form a luxurious lineup while forming a luxury lineup? To be honest, James is willing to cut his salary is the biggest benefit for the Lakers. But if the management is still swaying between the "veteran's feelings and the "reinforcement of all staff, the fate of the Lakers next season will probably still be hanging. After all, the NBA is not a passion game, and winning is the hard truth. Lakers fans all understand this, and James himself understands it. You said it's a coincidence. This is the most realistic Los Angeles basketball world