James cuts his salary again? The Lakers’ top ten goals for strengthening are released: Can middle-class special cases be found?

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Trading Market

Compared with the free agent market, the trading market is more like a gamble full of risks and opportunities. If the Lakers want to achieve a qualitative change in their lineup, the trading market may be their best choice.

In the trade, the chips that the Lakers can take out are mainly Austin Reeves and Dalton Kneckett. However, there is only one first-round draft pick in their hands that can be used for trading, so any deal has to be accompanied by a strong player.

Klay Thompson

The Mavericks' goal next season is to win, but the reality is often cruel, and they may have to break up the team's lineup in the middle of the season. This season, Thompson and Doncic's partnering was quite good, and Clay still maintained excellent three-point shooting ability, with a three-point shooting percentage of the Mavericks reaching 39%.

The Lakers can use Hachimura as a bargaining chip in exchange for Thompson. Hachimura is a young and promising player. His joining will allow the Mavericks to get a younger player and accelerate the team's reconstruction. For the Lakers, Thompson's joining will greatly enhance the team's outside firepower.

Imagine that in the game, Doncic and James broke through to the inside, attracted the opponent's defensive attention, and then distributed the ball to Thompson on the outside. Thompson took a knife and made a three-pointer. This scene will undoubtedly make the Lakers' offense even more terrifying.

Bam Adebayo

For the Lakers, trading Adebayo is undoubtedly a big bet. The Lakers can offer Reeves, Kneckett and an unprotected first-round draft pick in exchange for this talented inside player.

This deal will make the Heat's lineup younger and can also re-plan their championship timetable. After being brutally eliminated in the first round of the playoffs, Adebayo hinted that the Heat will usher in major changes.

JJ Redick admires Adebayo very much and even ranked Adebayo in third place in the 2024 Best Defensive Player Selection. This season, James has expressed his dissatisfaction with playing too much center forward many times. Adebayo's joining will solve this problem perfectly, and he can also allow the Lakers to try a variety of different defensive tactics.

It is a pity to lose Reeves, but the inside height and strength brought by Adebayo are urgently needed by the Lakers' current lineup. Despite Reeves' outstanding performance, Adebayo, a three-time All-Star player, is only 27 years old this year and is in the prime of his career. This deal may be quite difficult, but it is definitely worth the Lakers to try.

Lonzo Ball: The Star of Hope Returning from Injury

This season, Ball successfully returned after three years of injury troubles, which is one of the most inspiring stories in the league. Although Ball's speed is not as fast as before, he is still a very smart defender and is good at seizing defensive opportunities. Ball has excellent passing ability and good three-point shooting percentage. He will earn only $10 million next season, which is extremely cost-effective.

However, Ball's health is a big problem. He has only played 35 games this season, and it is difficult to ensure a stable playing time. But from the stand-alone defender's point of view, he may be a good choice.

Marcus Smart

Smart is considered a negative asset before the transaction deadline. In order to send him away, the Grizzlies had to take advantage of the 2025 first-round draft pick and Jack Laravia. With the Grizzlies, Smart's offensive performance was extremely bad and even dragged down the team.

However, after coming to the Wizards, Smart seemed to have changed his body, not only regaining his three-point shooting touch, but also continuing his previous tough defensive style. As he said in a post-match interview: "I just want to continue to prove to everyone that I can still play at a high level."

For the Lakers, Smart is an extremely low-risk option. His contract next season is worth $21.6 million and is an expiring contract. If the cooperation is not going well, the Lakers can quickly part ways with him. The Lakers may be able to trade with Maxie Kleber, Gabe Vincent and some second-round draft picks as bargaining chips to get Smart. Smart's joining will improve the Lakers' outside defense and make opponents' outside players feel huge pressure when attacking.