The Clippers took action to grab Bill! The Lakers were forced to restart Wiggins trade, and Kneckett broke out too timely

Unexpectedly, it was already 2025, and the Clippers were still competing with the Lakers. According to US media news a few days ago, Bill will reach a buyout with the Suns. The Lakers showed enough interest in Bill. As a few days later, there was news that the Clippers also participated in the Bills battle, and after the Clippers sent Powell away through a trade, the freed role was just enough to Bill. It was reported that Bill may join with a middle-class special contract of $5.2 million.

In recent days, news has been further confirmed that the Clippers are already in the leading position in the competition for Bills. According to American journalist Ary, Bill is about to make a decision about the next stop, and many teams generally expect that he is likely to join the Los Angeles Clippers. According to The Athletic, as long as Bill successfully reaches a buyout agreement with the Phoenix Suns, the Los Angeles Clippers will most likely become the leader in signing the defender. League sources revealed that the Clippers are currently in the lead in this battle.

It must be admitted that if the Clippers insist on pursuing the Bills, the Lakers have no advantage. The Clippers also have the city appeal in Los Angeles, and the Clippers can give the Bills more money. Even in terms of signing reinforcements in the offseason, the Clippers have a better prospect than the Lakers to win the championship. More importantly, if the Bill joins the Clippers, they can get a starting position. In contrast, if the Bill joins the Lakers, they will most likely only get a basic salary and a substitute position. Personally, I think that in the current situation, it is almost impossible for the Lakers to get the Bills.

Perhaps the Lakers management also realized this, so they quickly adjusted their direction and began to restart the trade with the Heat about Wiggins, trying to complete the outside upgrade this offseason. Today, ClutchPoints' Lakers reporter Anthony F. Irwin updated the trade rumors about Wiggins in the show "Lakers Lounge". According to him, "The Los Angeles Lakers intend to restart the trade negotiations with Wiggins. The Miami Heat previously offered a high price. They asked Hachimura Base, Kneckett, a future first-round draft pick and an expiring contract. The Lakers cannot meet such a price at all. They hope the Heat can lower the price."

Last season's regular season, Wiggins played 60 games, averaged 18 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game, shooting percentage of 44.8%, and three-point shooting percentage of 37.4%. To be honest, Wiggins' trading value is not high now, and it is not worth the Lakers' exit from Hachimura + Knector + first-round pick. The Lakers believe that the Heat's Lions have made a big statement and hope that the Heat will lower the asking price. In theory, Knector + first-round pick, or Hachimura + first-round pick is already the limit of the Lakers' bidding. In fact, the Lakers are still losing money, because Wiggins is not worth a first-round pick at all, but there is no way. The Lakers are the buyers and are in a hurry to buy. It is normal for the Heat to start the price on the ground.

Of course, there is not no room for maneuver. This is why I think Kneckett's outbreak in the summer league was very timely. In the summer league ending today, the Lakers reversed the Spurs 89-88. Kneckett played 29 minutes in the game, shooting 9 of 18 shots, 4 of 8 three-pointers, scoring 25 points and 8 rebounds, including 3 of 4 three-pointers in the last quarter and scoring 15 points. In the first two games, Kneckett made a total of 5 of 20, scoring a total of 14 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists. The sluggishness in the first two games caused Kneckett to face a lot of doubts, and some American media even publicly stated that Kneckett's current transaction value in the league is very low. It is generally believed that his trading value is only worth one second round. Due to the decline in trading value, it is difficult for the Lakers to use Kneckett to exchange for the players they need. In transactions involving Kneckett, the seller will also ask the Lakers for more chips. But if Knector's outbreak is not a flash in the pan and he can continue to play highlights next, then Knector's trading value will continue to rebound. If the outside world recognizes that Knector can be worth a first-round pick, then the Lakers will use him to trade Wiggins with the Heat, and there may be no need to add Hachimura or first-round picks.

After all, whether the Lakers and the Heat can succeed, or whether they can further strengthen in the future is the key to what level Kneckett can play. I just hope that in the next summer league, Kneckett can continue to prove himself. In that case, if he stays in the Lakers, he can get more opportunities in the new season, and he can also get a bigger role in other teams. In this regard, do you think the Lakers have the opportunity to use Kneckett to Wiggins?