The data generated by rebuilding teams can be misleading, and many NBA executives are not easily fooled. Initially, the Houston Rockets wanted to exchange Christian Wood for two first-round draft picks, but no team was willing to pay that price. In the end, the Rockets had to accept the Mavericks' offer, receiving a late first-round pick and several expired contracts of little value. Now, the Nets have allowed Cameron Johnson to put up impressive numbers and are looking to sell him at a good price. Forbes NBA reporter Evan Sidery revealed that the Nets are not in a hurry to trade Cameron Johnson, as they believe there will be teams willing to offer two first-round picks. New York media reported that if they could obtain a first-round pick plus a promising rookie, the Nets would consider trading away Cameron Johnson. Cameron Johnson is averaging 19.6 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 3 assists per game this season, shooting 49.9% from the field and making an average of 3.2 three-pointers per game with a 42.8% three-point shooting percentage. The Houston Rockets need excellent shooters, and Johnson is considered their trade target. On the other hand, Shepard's performance in the G League, scoring 49 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists, and 3 steals in a single game, has caught the attention of the Nets. The Nets and Rockets have a good relationship, having made multiple trades in the past. However, the Nets' attempt to make a 1-for-3 trade was rejected by the Rockets. NBA journalist Brett Siegel disclosed that the Nets hoped to acquire Shepard,…

The intense competition of the NBA regular season continues, with trade rumors among teams heating up as well. Many All-Star level players have been put on the trading block, such as Butler from the Heat, Beal from the Suns, and LaVine from the Bulls. Some teams are looking to strengthen their rosters through trades due to existing weaknesses. The Lakers are one of these teams. So far this season, the Lakers have a record of 20 wins and 15 losses, ranking fifth in the Western Conference. While their win rate is still decent, they still have a significant gap from the top-tier championship-contending teams in the league. James, now 40 years old, has seen a slight decline in his scoring ability and team influence compared to previous seasons, mainly due to his inconsistent form, sometimes only scoring around 10 points per game with fluctuating outside shooting. As for Davis, he is not getting any younger, and with frequent injuries in recent years, he not only carries an injury risk but also lacks the interior dominance he once had. When facing centers like Jokic, he is often overpowered. Therefore, the Lakers need a stronger rotation lineup to alleviate the pressure on the James-Davis duo. Looking at the stats, the Lakers' basic numbers rank in the upper half of the league, with an average of 112.3 points per game (13th in the league), 26.5 assists (12th), a shooting percentage of 47.3% (9th), and an offensive efficiency of 113.1 (11th). However, the Lakers still have obvious shortcomings, such as their interior play, where…

As we approach the end of 2024, the NBA trade deadline is drawing near. Many teams in the league are looking to enhance their competitiveness through trades before the deadline. The Los Angeles Lakers, a team under close scrutiny, are among those seeking improvements. The Lakers' performance this season has been characterized by an initial strong start followed by a series of losses, revealing various weaknesses within the team. The Lakers' primary trade target is undoubtedly the center position. They have been attempting to trade for the Wizards' center, Valanciunas, which has become one of the most anticipated trades for Lakers fans this season. Additionally, the Lakers have been pursuing some wing forwards to provide outside firepower support for James and Davis. For instance, the Lakers have shown interest in players like Cameron Johnson and Finney-Smith from the Nets. The specifics of how the Lakers will acquire these players will depend on the progress of subsequent negotiations. However, enthusiastic American media outlets occasionally propose trade simulation schemes to offer suggestions and strategies to the Lakers. The feasibility of these proposals is subjective. Recently, American media has once again presented a simulated trade scheme for the Lakers, suggesting that they can obtain Finney-Smith from the Nets. The proposed trade scheme is as follows: Lakers receive: Dorian Finney-Smith; Nets receive: Jared Vanderbilt, Jalen Hood-Sefino, Christian Wood, a 2025 second-round pick (from the Clippers), and a 2025 second-round pick (from the Lakers). If such a trade were to materialize, it would be beneficial for the Lakers. In the proposed scheme, the three players…