James returns to the Lakers! Pelinka offers another offer for top blue-collar center. Will Doncic get what he wants this time?

According to the NBA China official website, James is expected to implement the player option and return to the Lakers to play for another year.

What does

James mean to the Lakers?

For this, put aside the business factors, let’s talk about one thing - that is, combat power.

Season 24-25, James made 1270 shots and ranked 14th in the league. Harden is in front and Curry is in the back. In terms of efficiency, 0.333 points/round. For comparison, Jokic is 0.379 points/round, Antetokounmpo is 0.427 points/round, and Alexander is 0.350 points/round.

In other words, even at the age of 40, James still has the top level of attacking the league. For the Lakers, he and Doncic formed a double insurance on the offensive end.

In addition, Doncic + James means that the Lakers' ability to recruit players will reach the top of the league.

Speaking of Doncic, since joining the Lakers, the offensive round ended with a pick-and-roll. It accounts for nearly one-third, and obviously like Trae Young, Mitchell, Paul and others, the pick-and-roll is also Doncic's main ending method.

However, the Lakers do not have excellent pick-and-rollers.

Take Hayes for example, 120 screens in the regular season are even better than the forward players of Mengmeng Green (127 times) and Randall (124 times). As for the quality of the cover, the efficiency of 0.27 points/round is even at the bottom of the same position.

Considering that Doncic mainly ends with a pick-and-roll, there is no good screener in the potential, the offensive threat will decline visible to the naked eye.

is still news from the NBA China official website: The Lakers are expected to renegotiate Clarkston in the offseason.

Pellinka quotes Clarkston again?

Obviously, this is an excellent result. Just say a little bit - cover.

In the regular season, the 16th in the 208 screenings, the quality of the screenings of 0.67 points/round is comparable to high-quality pick-and-rollers such as Gobert and Kessler. Combined with the average of 10.3 points and 7.4 rebounds per game, Clarkston can definitely be regarded as a high-quality blue-collar center.

Considering the reconstruction attributes of the Nets, I think Doncic will get what he wants this time. To be precise, a high-quality center partner will be welcomed.

Reason 1: Bargaining chips. For the rebuilding team, it is obviously attractive to expired contracts and draft picks. On the expiration contract, the Lakers can provide Hachimura, Vincent, Claybel, etc. As for draft picks, there are also many, including 31 years.

Reason 2: Attraction. From Clarkston's perspective, the Lakers are definitely more attractive to it than the Nets. It is very convincing, and it is possible to win the championship even if you can play the main force. Potentially, it will increase your value.

To sum up two points, with chips and attractive to players, the Lakers are still very likely to trade to Clarkston. As a result, Doncic will get what he wants.