Lakers news: The famous player praises James, Xiaoli is recognized, 12+6 center is expected to join

Famous celebrities praised James, who is currently a former NBA celebrity and Heat assistant coach Caron Butler praised Lakers star LeBron James in a program called "Nightcap". Butler said: "I don't know how serious James' knee injury was this time. But I think with his physical talent, mental state and technical level, he can definitely play at a high level for another 2 or 3 years." In the first round of this year's playoffs, in the Lakers and the Timberwolves G5, James collided with Divincenzo, causing a second-degree sprain in the medial collateral ligament of the left knee, and needed to rest for at least one month.

In fact, Butler's praise is not out of compliment or so-called human nature. Judging from the data, whether in the regular season or the playoffs, James can still deliver a comprehensive performance of 25 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists per game. However, judging from the actual performance on the field, James' decline is visible to the naked eye. On the offensive side, he can no longer take on high efficiency and take on the whole game like he did a few years ago. On the defensive side, he is even more distracted and missed due to physical limitations. In addition, James suffered his first knee injury this time, which is likely to further affect his motor skills. The author believes that with James' spirit, if he cannot play the level he thinks he should have next season, he may put retirement on the agenda.

Xiaoli was recognized

Yesterday, according to US media Sports Illustrated reporter Ricardo Sandoval, Lakers defender Austin Reeves is expected to refuse to reach an early contract renewal with the Lakers this summer (the Lakers can provide Reeves with a four-year, $89.2 million contract extension), and will seek a higher salary contract after breaking out of the contract next summer and becoming a free agent. In this regard, the outside world believes that Reeves is likely to be traded by the Lakers this offseason. After all, Reeves is a player with strong offense and weak defense and obvious shortcomings. The Lakers have no reason to spend too much money to keep him, and they are unwilling to risk losing money next summer.

Today, according to Lakers' team reporter Jovan Buha, the Lakers do not want to trade Reeves because James, Doncic and the Lakers management all have a high opinion of him. Buha said: "I have been hearing news about trading Reeves in the past three years. But Jenny Buss (Lakes boss), Pelinka (Lakes president), and Redick all value Reeves very much, and James and Doncic have also given him high praise. So I don't think he will be traded." It is undeniable that Reeves is a high-quality defender with a golf club and comprehensive skills. Being able to go from a white undraft to an absolute starter for a giant team has also proved his ability. But the problem is that Reeves and Doncic are both players with obvious shortcomings in the defensive stage. If they are on the court together, the Lakers' fault tolerance rate is very low. Of course, the Lakers' move is likely to be comforting Reeves and ensuring harmony and stability in the locker room. If there is a suitable opportunity, the Lakers may also replicate Davis's deal and send Reeves away quietly.

12+6 centers are expected to join

Not long ago, Lakers' basketball operations president Pelinka clearly stated at the season summary conference that the team will introduce a trusted starting inside player through trading or free market signing this offseason. Today, according to famous reporter Tim MacMahon, Mavericks center Gafford is one of the potential trading targets for the Lakers. Gafford, 26, played 57 games in the regular season for the Mavericks this season, averaging 21.5 minutes per game to score 12.3 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.8 blocks, with a shooting percentage of 70.2%. Currently, Gafford's contract has $1,437w left for the last year of next season.

For the Mavericks, it is impossible for the team to pay Gafford the starting center level salary when Davis gets the maximum salary and Levley is about to sign a big contract, so it is a more suitable choice to send it away as soon as possible. For Gafford, coming to the Lakers can not only reunite with their old teammate Doncic, but also get stable playing time, performance opportunities and off-court economic benefits. For the Lakers, Goverd can eat cakes and protect the frame, and in addition to being a little crisper body, it fully meets the Lakers' requirements for starting centers. What is the follow-up is worth looking forward to.