This season's NBA regular season started with the Lakers' performance impressing fans, with a winning streak at the beginning of the season leading many to chant "Lakers are the champions." However, as the season progressed, the Lakers' performance showed a noticeable decline. It is clear that with their current roster, it would be difficult for the Lakers to achieve their championship dreams again. To increase LeBron James' chances of winning another title in the twilight of his career, the Lakers completed a 5-for-2 trade on James' 40th birthday. According to Shams Charania, the Lakers and the Nets have reached a deal that brings versatile forward Dorian Finney-Smith to the team, further enhancing their competitiveness. In this trade, the Lakers sent out D'Angelo Russell, Maxey Lewis, and three second-round picks (2027, 2030, and 2031, all from the Lakers) to the Nets in exchange for Finney-Smith and Shake Milton. Finney-Smith, who is 31 years old this season, averages 10.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 0.9 steals in 29 minutes per game, with a three-point shooting percentage of 43.5%. His excellent 3D attributes make him a perfect fit for the Lakers' style of play. LeBron James and Anthony Davis both have significant offensive influence and strong passing abilities, which will undoubtedly create many open three-point opportunities for Finney-Smith. If he can maintain his efficiency from the Nets, Finney-Smith will play a crucial role in the Lakers' offense. Additionally, his strong defensive capabilities will help alleviate the defensive pressure on James. His addition to the Lakers will undoubtedly enhance the team's dominance on…

On December 29th, Beijing time, the NBA regular season saw the Lakers face off against the Kings once again. Prior to the game, LeBron James' status was downgraded to a game-time decision due to illness, and he ultimately missed the game against the Kings due to his condition. Vincent will replace James in the starting lineup; Rui Hachimura (also sick) is available to play, while Anthony Davis and D'Angelo Russell will decide whether to participate before the game. Previously, James had missed team training due to illness and was listed as questionable for the game due to his health. Before today's game, a Lakers beat reporter announced that James would miss the game against the Kings due to illness. This marks the third time this season that James has missed a game; in the previous two instances, the Lakers had a record of one win and one loss. James missed what would have been his last game before turning 40 years old, as he will celebrate his 40th birthday tomorrow. Currently, James has scored in double digits in 1250 consecutive games. The last time he failed to reach double digits was on January 5, 2007, when the Cavaliers played against the Bucks. In that game, James shot 3 for 13, scoring only 8 points. In other words, James has scored in double digits for 17 consecutive years, and even in his 22nd year in the league, he continues to deliver incredible performances. This season, James has played 28 games for the Lakers, averaging 35 minutes per game with 23.5 points,…

The game between the Lakers and the Kings is just around the corner, but things are getting complicated. It's quite a coincidence that James suddenly announced his absence due to illness and ankle pain. This isn't good news, considering he's the brain of the team. Without him on the court directing, those smooth offensive combinations could instantly become chaotic. As for Davis, he hasn't been idle, but the problem is that his ankle is still injured. However, this guy is stubborn by nature and insists on playing through the pain. When I heard this news, I wondered if the Lakers could withstand the pressure? Can they handle a well-performing Sabonis? James' absence not only worries the fans but also gives the coaching staff a headache. What's his current condition? The official explanation is simple: he's sick, and his old injury - the ankle - is acting up again, so he has to take a temporary break. This sounds casual, but upon closer thought, it seems more complicated. He's already 38 years old, and playing high-intensity games at this age is already pushing the limits, especially with a series of old and new injuries taking turns to bother him. Moreover, without James in command, it's like losing a stabilizing force. Whether it's connecting the whole team or stabilizing critical situations, he's always been the one in charge. Now, he's offline, and you can see that the Lakers' overall strength visibly diminishes. Of course, with James out, Davis naturally becomes the focus. But let's not forget that he's just crawled out from…

In a recent game, the Clippers defeated the Warriors 102-92 and currently hold the fifth spot in the Western Conference with a win rate close to 60%. This win rate is reminiscent of James Harden's time in Philadelphia, where he led the team to a 63% win rate when Joel Embiid was not playing. However, Harden's performance with the Clippers is slightly lower than his solo efforts in Philadelphia. This could be attributed to the team configuration, as in Philadelphia, when Embiid was absent, Harden had Maxey to rely on for scoring and Harris also had more opportunities due to the absence of the "Emperor." Additionally, Philadelphia had a young defensive specialist like Melton, who was similar to a younger version of Beverley. The difference between Philadelphia and Brooklyn lies in their approach; Philadelphia didn't have grand ambitions and simply focused on building around Harden when Embiid was out. The Clippers, on the other hand, have a purer strategy, combining Leonard's playing style to revolve their tactics around Harden. This is because Leonard's style can fit into any team, making him akin to a cheat code that can be plugged into any system. As Harden mentioned in an interview, Leonard expressed anxiety about his return, fearing it might disrupt the Clippers' established chemistry. Harden reassured him, stating that his playing style naturally complements the current roster, likening it to upgrading Dunn to Leonard. Leonard was immediately pleased and no longer worried. Leonard's return doesn't significantly affect Harden individually; he remains the tactical core but may see a slight decrease in…

On December 29th, Beijing time, the NBA regular season continued with the Warriors facing off against the Suns at home in a back-to-back game. In this match, Curry and Green made their return, and both teams were locked in a seesaw battle, with the Warriors taking the initiative and leading by some points. Beal and Durant led the Suns in catching up on the score, and after that, both teams were in a seesaw battle, with the point difference never widening. In the end, the Suns couldn't hold on in the crucial moments. Ultimately, the Warriors defeated the Suns 109-105, ending their three-game losing streak. In this game, Curry and Green returned, and Schroder continued to start. Beal started hot, while the Warriors relied on Curry and Kuminga to continuously score points, successfully overtaking the point difference and leading by 7 points in the first quarter. In the second quarter, the Suns began to exert themselves, and the Warriors made consecutive mistakes. The Suns unleashed a 26-7 run, directly overtaking and widening the point difference. Fortunately, Green hit a three-pointer to stop the bleeding, followed by Curry hitting a buzzer-beater, and at halftime, the Warriors narrowed the gap to 61-65. After changing sides for the second half, neither team could continue their fiery shooting from the first half, both falling into a stalemate, with the point difference never widening, and the third quarter ended with the Warriors trailing by 5 points. Entering the final quarter, the Suns still held the initiative on the court, but in the crucial moments, Kuminga…

At 1 a.m. Beijing time on December 30th, according to Shams, a well-known reporter from ESPN, the Lakers and the Nets have reached a trade deal, with Russell and Finney-Smith swapping teams. The details of the trade are as follows: The Lakers send Russell, Lewis, and three second-round picks in a 5-for-2 trade to acquire Finney-Smith and Shake Milton. Russell returns to the Nets! Russell's contract is worth 36millionovertwoyears,expiringinthesummerof2025,withasalaryof36 million over two years, expiring in the summer of 2025, with a salary of 36millionovertwoyears,expiringinthesummerof2025,withasalaryof18.7 million this season. Finney-Smith's contract is worth 56millionoverfouryears,expiringinthesummerof2026,withasalaryof56 million over four years, expiring in the summer of 2026, with a salary of 56millionoverfouryears,expiringinthesummerof2026,withasalaryof14.4 million this season. Milton earns 2.8millionperyear,whileLewisearns2.8 million per year, while Lewis earns 2.8millionperyear,whileLewisearns1.9 million. The total salary of the two players sent away by the Lakers is higher. The Lakers have always wanted Finney-Smith, and through this trade, they saved 15millioninluxurytax,leavingthem15 million in luxury tax, leaving them 15millioninluxurytax,leavingthem3.5 million short of the second-highest tax line. So what does the Nets get out of this? 1. Russell's contract is expiring, allowing the Nets to free up salary space next offseason; 2. The three second-round picks from the Lakers are also worth a few million dollars. In June 2017, Russell was traded by the Lakers to the Nets. During his time with the Nets, Russell was selected to the All-Star team. It has been more than seven years since then, and Russell has once again been sent to the Nets by the Lakers. Throughout his Lakers career, Russell played a total of 265 games, averaging…

NBA regular season has already played one-third of the games, with the Cavaliers, Celtics, and Thunder showcasing exceptional championship potential through their outstanding records. The Bucks and 76ers have also seen a gradual improvement in their recent performances. Teams such as the Clippers, Nuggets, Lakers, and Warriors, who have not yet secured a top-four spot in the West, are actively seeking trades to adjust and strengthen their rosters in hopes of regaining championship contention. The Clippers are looking to trade away Tucker while simultaneously reinforcing their lineup, willing to offer a first-round pick. The Lakers are also open to using their first-round pick to trade for reinforcements. Official announcement! A new trade has been completed, with three players facing suspensions, benefiting the Lakers and Clippers, while the Rockets go all-in for the 60-point scorer. The Nets and Grizzlies have reached a new trade deal, with the Nets sending defensive powerhouse Finney-Smith to the Grizzlies in exchange for Konchar, Kennard, and a first-round pick as compensation. This season, Finney-Smith averaged 10.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.5 assists with the Nets, boasting a remarkable 43.5% three-point shooting percentage. Kennard averaged 7.5 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 2.9 assists with the Grizzlies, with a 44.4% three-point shooting rate. Konchar contributed 2.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game. Despite ranking in the top three in the West, the Grizzlies continue to pursue trades to bolster their roster, aiming to return to championship contention. The NBA league officially announced penalties following a fight between Marshall, Washington, and Nurkic, resulting in suspensions for the three…

Green: Only two players in the NBA today don't need to prove themselves, Durant and Harden are not qualified! As we all know, "Dream Chaser" Green is one of the most annoying players in the NBA today. He punches Gobert and kicks Adams on the court, using all kinds of dirty moves, and even doesn't spare his teammates. Off the court, Green's various shocking remarks have earned him a lot of attention. A sentence like "We were already champions before you came" has made Durant defensive until now. It can be said that whether it's behavior or words, Green always manages to surprise people. Not long ago, Green's remarks once again sparked heated discussions among fans. He stated that there are only two players in the league who do not need to prove themselves, but superstars like Durant, Antetokounmpo, and Harden are not among them. So, let's take a look together. In Green's list, Curry is undoubtedly at the forefront. As the number one "Curry fan" in the league, Green has always regarded Curry as his big brother, following his lead both on the court and in the locker room. As teammates who won four championships side by side, their friendship goes without saying. In fact, Curry's career achievements and influence are also among the best among current players. He is not only the founder of the Warriors dynasty but also the leader of the small-ball era. With four championships, one FMVP, two consecutive MVPs, and the historical three-point king, Curry with such a resume no longer needs to prove…

The Nuggets defeated the Pistons 134-121 today, finally ending their embarrassing two-game losing streak. The Pistons have been in good form recently, but they were still no match for the Nuggets, as the gap in strength between the two teams is significant. After being hammered by the Cavaliers last time, even Jokic, known for his good nature, got angry, saying that the team was struggling so much, why should they win? Today, Gordon didn't play, and Malone wasn't stubborn in starting the lineup, putting Westbrook in when needed, directly forming a backcourt with Westbrook and Murray. On the front line, Braun and Porter were promoted to the No. 4 position, with Jokic at the No. 5 position. In fact, the Nuggets' biggest problem this year is still their poor defense, and they won today solely through offensive play. Despite winning, the Nuggets also allowed the Pistons to score 121 points. For a championship-contending team, the Nuggets' defense this year is not up to par. Losing Pope and Brown has been extremely damaging to the Nuggets, and if they had known it would be like this, they would have done everything to keep Pope and Brown instead of dismantling the championship-winning squad. The Nuggets' victory was undoubtedly due to Westbrook's contributions. In the first half, the two teams were not far apart, and the Pistons, led by their ball-handling core Cunningham, played fiercely. Ivey finished the game, CC organized and connected with his teammates, then Harris and Hardaway spread out on one side, and Duren dunked. The Pistons have a good…

Although Liaoning played a tough home game against Xinjiang Guanghui, veteran Han Dejun once again played for 32 minutes, which was quite a burden. According to well-known media personality Ha Qiu, Liaoning's new signing, Justin Patton, has arrived in the country. The club will register him immediately after he passes his physical examination. However, due to the need to adjust to the time difference, Justin Patton will not be able to make his debut in the Liaoning-Guangdong match. In the game against Xinjiang Guanghui, two Liaoning players stood out. Besides Wells scoring 50 points, Wang Lanqin also played a crucial role in linking the team together. His key steals and shots helped Liaoning maintain their lead. With Guo Ailun struggling with injuries and finding it difficult to return to his best form, Liaoning chose to bring in the younger Wang Lanqin, which turned out to be a good move. In the absence of Zhao Jiwei and Zhang Zhenlin and without high-quality foreign big men, Liaoning's home game against old rival Guangdong Hongyuan will be a huge test for their rebounding and perimeter defense. Liaoning is well aware of Morand's mobility and rebounding ability inside, so besides returning to Shenyang to receive the championship ring, coach Yang Ming will also make arrangements based on Morand's characteristics. Due to excessive defensive actions in the game against Zhejiang Guangsha, Zhang Ning was ejected for a foul. This was the first time in Zhang Ning's career that he was ejected from a game, and it was also his seventh foul this season. Although Shanxi…