Magical operation! The Lakers robbed the Bucks champion center with a minimum salary, and the three-point frame protection artifact can help James win the championship

37-year-old Brooke Lopez's accurate three-pointer and solid frame protection ability may become one of the best answers to fill the Lakers' inside vacuum.

"Brook Lopez will leave the Bucks next week." The latest report by Bleacher Report reporter Jake Fischer dropped a shock in the NBA offseason.

For Lakers fans, this news is like a long drought and rain. Several league sources confirmed that the Lakers management has listed the 37-year-old center as the number one signing target this summer, hoping that he can fill the team's fatal shortcomings.

Lakes traded Anthony Davis for Luca Doncic last season shocked the league, but put the inside into a vacuum. When trading Hornets center Mark Williams was found to be problematic during the physical examination and was returned, the Lakers could only let Jaxon Hays serve as the starting center. An insider of the Lakers admitted: "Everyone has seen the effect, and this young man cannot take the lead." This is also one of the key reasons why the team was eliminated early in the playoffs.

01 Inside vacuum, the Lakers' fatal weakness in the championship competition

After experiencing a disappointing season, the Lakers' management knew that it was imperative to strengthen the inside. After trading Davis for Doncic last season, the Lakers' inside defense completely collapsed. They had tried to introduce Hornets center Mark Williams as an alternative, but the medical examination issues led to a failure of the deal. In desperation, the Lakers could only let Hayes take the starting center, and as a result, the defensive efficiency fell to the lower level of the league - the team averaged only 5 blocks per game.

What's more serious is that there is currently no standard center on the Lakers' official roster, only Hayes (expired contract), Ryan (expired contract) and two two-way contract players. This structural flaw forces head coach Redick to use joint defense tactics excessively, and the effect is worrying.

The early exit of the playoffs allowed General Manager Pelinka to learn from his mistakes. According to league sources, the Lakers listed center reinforcement as the top priority in the offseason, and Brooke Lopez's name always ranked first on the signing list.

In the Lakers' existing lineup, Doncic and James need to be "protected" on the defensive end. Even if Doncic makes progress in defense after losing weight, he is still relatively weak; and James must make choices on both offense and defense due to his age. A basketball analyst pointed out: "If the Lakers want to balance off offense and defense, they must hide James and Doncic in the defensive system. They can no longer consume too much on the defensive end.

02 Technical adaptation, why does the 37-year-old Lopez become the Lakers' first choice? The answer lies in his technical characteristics perfectly meet the needs of the Lakers:

Space Creator: Average 1.7 three-pointers per game, with a shooting percentage of 37.3%, which can clear the penalty area for Doncic and James' breakthroughs: 1.9 blocks per game, interfere with the opponent's shots 13.7 times, and build the last line of defense

Pick-and-roll versatile: can both shoot outside and cut inside to end, activate Doncic's pass creativity

On the defensive end, Daluo's value is particularly outstanding. A scout from the Western Conference team commented: "He can maintain a high interference frequency while frequently switching defenders, which is the inside barrier that the Lakers urgently need. ”

Offensive end, his low-post skills are often overlooked - at his peak, he was a low-post killer with an average of 20+ per game. NBA tactical analysts pointed out: "If his low-post offense is used as a secret weapon, when Doncic is double-teamed, Daluo can punish the opponent's inside. ”

03 Economic advantages, the optimal solution to the Lakers' salary dilemma

The Lakers face severe salary this summer, and the team's total salary has reached $200 million, and the renewal of Finney Smith and others will still need to be dealt with next year. Under this fiscal constraint, the economy of the Daluo has become a key advantage.

The Daluo's salary was $23 million last season, and after the contract expires this summer, the Bucks are unlikely to renew the veteran due to the reconstruction plan. Considering the age factor, it is difficult for other teams to issue big contracts. The Lakers are expected to sign the all-round center with a basic salary. A league executive bluntly said: "Getting players who can protect the frame, shoot three-pointers and have low-post skills with basic salary is simply a robbery. ”

Dalou is no stranger to Los Angeles. In the 2017-18 season, he played 74 games in the purple gold jersey, averaging 13 points, 4 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game. This experience allows him to integrate into the system faster. Lakers insiders revealed: "Compared with Kessler and Capela, Daluo has the highest cost-effectiveness. Our cap space and draft assets cannot afford high-cost transactions. ”

04 Questions and challenges, age and defense concerns

Although Daluo's joining seems reasonable, doubts still exist:

Defensive adaptability: Fans pointed out sharply: "Douo has Antetokounmpo to defend in the Bucks, and after coming to the Lakers, they may be penetrated from the midfield to the penalty area. He is too slow! ”

Age risk: Can a 37-year-old veteran bear 82 regular season games? Last season's playoffs, his data plummeted to 5 points, 1.6 rebounds and 1 block per game

Lineup compatibility: NBA legend Barkley bluntly said: "The Thunder are the team we want to defeat. I don't think the Lakers are better than the Mavericks. ” He stressed the issue of ball rights distribution between Doncic and James: “Doncic has never proven to be able to continue playing without the ball. ”

The deeper concern lies in the Lakers' overall defensive structure. Analysis shows: "Doncic, James and Hachimura have been at the bottom of the league in defensive matchup difficulty in the past three years, which means they often defend the opponent's weakest attackers. "If Daluo is added to the slow-moving Daluo, the defensive system may be even worse.

05 Winning the championship puzzle, triple strategic value

If the contract is successfully signed, Daluo will bring triple upgrades to the Lakers:

Liberate Doncic's potential for blocking and killing: "Doncic is well-behaved in the first five pick-and-roll, Doncic needs a multi-function center to exert its maximum power," the Lakers Fan Forum analysis pointed out. Daluo's three-pointer ability to double Doncic's pick-and-roll threat

reduces James' defensive burden: last season James was forced to share the frame protection task due to an inside vacuum, which affected offensive efficiency. Daluo is at the basket and can release James' organizational talent

Playoff experience support: Daluo, as a member of the 2021 Bucks champion, is well versed in winning the championship and can guide the key battle decisions of young lineups

Against the backdrop of the rise of young troops such as the Western Thunder and Timberwolves, Daluo's veteran value may become a key weight to change the balance. An NBA columnist commented: "His joining not only solves the pain points in the inside, but will also release the ultimate form of the Doncic-James combination."

When Doncic launches the pick-and-roll, the opponent will be in a dilemma - Daluo, who is defending the outside? Or Doncic who blocked the breakthrough? In the dilemma of salary as high as 200 million, the Lakers may win the space-type fifth position with a base salary contract with averaging 1.9 blocks + 37.3% three-point shooting percentage.

The Greater Lopez is not a savior, but he may be the most rational answer around James and Doncic - to fix the fatal shortcomings with the lowest cost, which is exactly the bet that Pelinka must complete.