The Lakers let DFS go, and the blueprint for the Western Conference championship was cut off!

When the Houston Rockets easily locked in DFS with a four-year, $53 million contract, the entire league smelled the imbalance of the strategic balance of the Los Angeles Lakers. The Lakers management's letting go not only let go of a top puzzle, but also personally opened a new channel to the basket for the strong men in the West District.

DFS took on the heaviest and most inconspicuous defensive tasks in the Lakers last season. From being super insiders like Jokic and Antetokounmpo to suppressing the shooting percentage of opponents' All-Stars to 47% - this efficiency ranks among the top ten in the league, DFS's defensive value is seriously underestimated. He even shouldered a huge burden for 38-year-old James on the defensive end. However, the Lakers set their sights on his 32-year-old age and ankle surgery, allowing him to switch to the Rockets. The West District forward line is surrounded by wolves in the new season, Vanderbilt is suffering from injuries, Hachimura's defense is obvious, and the Lakers' defense line has faintly cracked.

What is even more regrettable is the loss of offensive firepower. DFS's three-point shooting percentage in the playoffs was as high as 36.8%, and he averaged 2.4 three-pointers per game during the regular season with the Lakers. This modern forward line with both offense and defense has always been a scarce resource in the free market. The Rockets successfully picked up bargains at an average annual price of 13.25 million, which is nearly half cheaper than the price that the Lakers can give! Pelinka's "big knife" at the negotiating table slashed hard on the Lakers' own foundation this time.

The Lakers management gave up DFS on the grounds of "living space for chasing Antetokounmpo in 2026", and its short-sightedness is shocking. When the team is still struggling to make the playoffs, it is tantamount to gamble for the illusory future. What's even more ironic is that the 14.1 million space they freed up turned to Ayton, a center with a defensive end and a volatile professional attitude, is its adaptability compared to DFS?

Replacer? Vanderbilt has been in less than 50 games in the past two years, and the glass attributes are worrying, and three-point shooting is even more non-stable weapon. The Lakers management obviously underestimated the unique value of DFS's "plug and play" hardcore puzzle.

This operation made the hearts of players and fans - a tough guy who fought for ankle surgery in the playoffs, and a well-known tough guy in the locker room was so rashly given up. On the other hand, the Rockets' contract is even non-guarantee in the fourth year of the contract, which is almost at the peak of DFS in two years, and also takes into account the strategic significance of teaching newcomers. In order to save two years of salary, the Lakers did not hesitate to bet on the window to win the championship at the end of James' career.

When the Rockets accepted top 3D at the bottom price, the Lakers ruined their current combat power for the illusory tomorrow. The Nuggets, Timberwolves and Mavericks in the West District have long been sharpening their knives. How can the Lakers, a forward line that has been actively dismantled, resist the iron hoof?

Let DFS be released not a strategic adjustment, but a failure that the Pelinka team can see visible to the naked eye. The Lakers are always chasing the next superstar, but they can't even cherish the ace puzzle they hold in their hands - he is not a star in the spotlight, but when he leaves, a corner of the building collapses.