puis dans la liste qui s’affiche, cliquez sur AdBlock
Par Pierre-Andréa Fraile | Journaliste sportif
As has been the case for several years now, the Lakers have no choice but to turn to the market to fill the gaps in their roster. Rumors are therefore multiplying about them, including one that makes sense according to an insider.
Summers tend to come and go for the Lakers. Crowned champions for the last time in 2020, the California franchise surprised fans by shaking up its roster during the following off-season. It was a decision that paid off in no small measure, as the team has since failed to reach the NBA Finals. Not even this year, despite the arrival of Luka Doncic during the season.
In fact, the Angelinos didn’t even manage to get through a single round of the playoffs with the Slovenian star back in their roster. Proof that their rotation remained highly dysfunctional and must once again undergo major overhauls, particularly at the pivot position. However, this is not the only area of the game that Rob Pelinka and his assistants would like to strengthen in the coming weeks.
The perfect target for the Lakers already found?
Aware of the needs to be filled in the Lakers racket, Pelinka is also keen to get his hands on a 3-and-D winger profile on the market. But rumors on this subject have been few and far between. So much so that a fan himself had to imagine which player could fill this need, and suggested the name of Andrew Wiggins to insider Jovan Buha. The latter expressed his excitement in his podcast:
Jovan Buha: Andrew Wiggins for Rui Hachimura? I like this trade. I know Wiggins is among the popular targets among Lakers fans on social networks and in my opinion, among the realistic options on the market, he ticks a lot of boxes to join the Lakers. In particular, it would give them a true winger to use in the post 3 and eliminate the need to force Rui into that role.
Because of this, Rui found himself in complicated situations. Particularly on defense, where he had to defend on players like Anthony Edwards or Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, given that LeBron (James), Luka (Doncic) and Austin (Reaves) couldn’t do it. That’s why I think a player like Wiggins could fill a lot of holes for the Lakers as a more natural winger.
Winner of a title in 2022 with the Warriors, Wiggins was sent to Miami at the last trade deadline. According to Buha, his qualities would nonetheless appeal to the Purple & Gold, potentially prompting them to sign him. It should be noted, however, that a simple swap with Rui Hachimura would not be an option, as the Canadian winger earns a much higher salary than his Japanese counterpart.
