The Lakers really can't win against the Nuggets! The Lakers' recruitment strategy for the 2023 offseason doesn't seem to have brought about the expected turnaround. General manager Pelinka's decision-making was questioned early in the season, especially against a team like the Nuggets.
The Lakers' roster didn't perform well against the Nuggets last season. In the Western Conference finals, the Lakers were swept by the Nuggets with a score of 4-0, which is enough to show the difference in strength between the two teams. And in this gap, the Lakers' roster depth problem is particularly prominent. Pelinka's players brought in last summer have not worked as expected this season. The likes of Prince, Reddish, Jaxson Hayes and Vincent have all been underwhelming off the bench. Prince had just two points and one rebound, Reddish had three points, Jaxson Hayes had four points and four rebounds, and Vincent's performance was even more difficult to talk about. Such data not only failed to help the Lakers close the gap with the Nuggets, but instead exposed the Lakers' lack of roster depth.
What's more, the Lakers aren't doing a good enough job of limiting the Nuggets' core players. Jokic and Murray were the Nuggets' top scorers, but the Lakers didn't seem to have found an effective way to limit them. In the game, the two were often able to score easily, while the Lakers struggled to find an effective coping strategy.
From a tactical point of view, Coach Hamm still seems to be sticking with last season's lineup and tactics. This tactic has proven to be no match for the Nuggets. Against a powerhouse like the Nuggets, the Lakers will need to make changes and experiment with new tactics and lineup combinations to find a way to stand up to the competition. In addition, the Lakers need to improve on the defensive end. In last season's Western Conference Finals, the Lakers didn't play well on the defensive end. In the face of the Nuggets' offense, the Lakers often struggle to find effective defensive strategies. Therefore, the Lakers need to make improvements on the defensive end to improve the team's defensive efficiency and consistency.
If he can't get over the mountain of the Nuggets, James will never win the championship. Looking back at James' career, four NBA championship trophies are enough to prove his greatness. But for the 39-year-old, the desire to pursue his fifth crown has intensified. According to the report, if James wants to realize his dream of winning his fifth championship, joining the Suns may be his safest choice. This view is not groundless, but is based on a series of data and an in-depth analysis of the real situation.
As one of the strong teams in the NBA in recent years, the Suns have a stable lineup and an excellent tactical system. Their core player, Devin Booker, is in his playing years, and Durant is only losing to James. The Suns' system is a perfect fit for James. They focus on teamwork and quick counter-attacks, which is in line with James' style of play. In the Suns' system, James can give full play to his organizational ability and scoring ability, and form a strong offensive firepower with Booker, Durant and others.
The U.S. proposed a 4-for-1 trade plan that would allow the Suns to get James. The specifics of this plan are for the Suns to send Gordon, Nurkic, Eubanks and Okogie to James. Such a trade may be a bit reluctant for the Suns, but considering James' superstar charisma and the improvement of the team, such a sacrifice may be worth it.
Joining the Suns is definitely an option worth considering for James. But whatever he ultimately decides, we hope that this great player will continue to write his own legacy in his future career.