Lakers Strengthening Storm: Ayton locks in three major goals after signing, Pelinka recreates the championship puzzle

1. Strategic shift: Blueprint for strengthening after the inside upgrade

After the Lakers signed former No. 1 pick Aiton for 2 years, $16.6 million, the management immediately launched the "Second Phase Reinforcement Plan". Ayton's contract occupies the remaining amount of non-taxpayer middle class special cases this year (including player options), forcing the team to turn to a more cost-effective reinforcement method: the two-year special case and the veteran's basic salary become the main signing tools. According to internal news, the Lakers coaching staff still have differences on Ayton's starting positioning, and the management prefers to find a "skill complementary center" to form a double tower rather than relying entirely on Ayton's single-core to support the inside.

Currently, there are two major shortcomings in the Lakers lineup:

wing defensive black hole: last season, the defense efficiency of the forward line was only 22nd in the league, and the opponent's three-point shooting percentage was as high as 38.1%;

In-depth crisis in the interior: except Ayton, only Kleber is a pure fifth position, with the latter's playoff rebounding rate as low as 9.7%. General Manager Pelinka has made a clear goal: "By promoting the free market and trading dual-line, we will create a ten-player championship lineup."

2. Free market prey: Horford leads the three major goals

1. Al Horford: Space-type No. 5 position

The Lakers are chasing the 39-year-old Horford with a biennial special (about 5 million US dollars). The champion center shot 36.3% from three-pointers last season, with pick-and-roll external bounce efficiency in the league, perfectly adapting to James and Doncic's breakthrough pass system. If the contract is successfully signed, the Lakers will build a "Aiton + Horford" offensive and defensive tower:

Offensive end: Aiton pick-and-roll down (61.2% from the penalty area in his career) + Horford's outside turret (1.9 three-pointers per game);

Defensive end: Horford tops the heavy center, Aiton assists in the defense frame.

2. D'Anthony Melton: 3D wing tip

Although he is only 1.88 meters tall, Melton has become the first choice for the Lakers' wing reinforcement with his 2.03-meter wingspan and 1.6 steals per game. Its value lies in:

switch to the ballistic resistance: can defend the No. 1-3 position, and the opponent's forward shooting percentage was limited last season to only 41.3%;

no-ball ability: 38.7% of the three-point shooting percentage, which can fill the firepower gap after Reeves' exit.

3. Nick Richards: Cost-effective substitute center

Hornets center Richards is regarded as a "buyout market dark horse", and his average 2.1 blocks per game (9th in the league) and 71.6% shooting percentage at the basket can make up for the depth of the Lakers' inside line. The Lakers tend to wait for their buyout rather than trade, avoiding consuming limited assets.

3. Trading Storm: Three Big Chips Lift Upgrade

Pellinka holds three major trading weapons:

Expired Contract: Vincent (11 million in 1 year) and Kleber (9.5 million in 1 year) can be used as balance chips;

Draft Picks: 2031 or 2032 first round picks (not controlled by other teams);

Potential Rookies: Knecht (19.4 points per game in the Development League last season) and Hachimura (popular in the trading market).

Potential trading target analysis

Key progress:

The Rockets' asking price for Whitmore has been reduced to "expired contract + second round pick";

Pelics leave the team because of Valanciunas, and their attitude towards trading Missy is relaxed;

Nets are seeking to exchange Finney Smith for immediate combat power, and Hachimura has become an ideal goal.

4. Historical foreshadowing: The Lakers' center heritage and opportunities

The Lakers' signing Ayton secretly matches the team's historical traditions - from O'Neal, Gasol to Howard, the top center has always been the cornerstone of the Purple and Gold Army's championship. But this operation is more risky:

Redemption opportunity: Ayton needs to get rid of the "controversy in the Pioneer Blazers' professional attitude" (luggish in training multiple times, negative injuries and illness recovery), and his salary reduction is actually a "self-proven gamble";

Double Tower Experiment: If Horford is successfully introduced, the Lakers will replicate the 2020 McGee + Howard's championship inside configuration.

The management has learned its lesson: excessive reliance on Davis in 2023 has led to his absence of 32 games in the regular season, and the new season will be strictly limited to Ayton and James within 32 minutes per game.

5. Countdown to the championship: Pelinka's ultimate bet

Lakers' offseason operation hidden triple game:

Age hedging: 39-year-old James + 41-year-old Horford paired with 27-year-old Ayton + 26-year-old Doncic, balance is the combat power and the future;

Salary magic: Middle-class special signing Ayton + bi-year special picking Horford + basic salary to maximize the value of 170 million yuan;

Time race: James' last year's contract window period forces the Lakers to give up "long-term layout" and turn to "win in the present".

Pivot point of view Lakers strengthened urgency

Last season, when James/Davis were absent at the same time, the Lakers' net efficiency was -12.3 (third from the bottom in the league)

Ayton + Horford combination theoretical value: 25 rebounds per game, 4.5 blocks, 37% three-point shooting percentage +

Conclusion: When Ayton put on the purple and gold jersey, the Lakers' championship puzzle was only half completed. The operation of Perlinka's sword-pointing Horford and the wingers is not only a tribute to the 2020 championship lineup, but also an ultimate bet on James' countdown to retirement. If the "Twin Towers of Old and Young" are successfully established, the Staples Center may usher in the 18th championship flag.