Ayton doesn t come, James leaves

On July 1, the door to the free market officially opened, but the Lakers, who were determined to find a bargain, delivered a bad operational answer. According to relevant news, the Lakers are more concerned about the future. Whether there is enough space to provide maximum salary in 2027 to sign a top star partner Doncic in the free market, which is completely opposite to James' idea of ​​winning in the current situation

The Lakers' free market first day: lost the key main force, signed Laravia

Today, the original Lakers 3D forward Finney Smith was poached by the Rockets' four-year long-term contract, and then the Lakers signed Grizzlies' substitute forward Laravia for 12 million yuan for 2 years. Finney Smith's departure is not surprising. The Lakers are unwilling to provide him with a long-term contract, which further proves that the Lakers want to make a big move in the free market two years later. Laravia's joining is pretty pretty. The rookie in 2022 played his best season in his career. At the age of 23, he is in the rising period of his career. We have reason to believe that he can further improve the team's firepower. But the key to the problem is that Laravia's joining has caused the Lakers to spend 14.1 million yuan in full middle class, which has left the Lakers with only 8 million yuan available. As Capela, Daluo and others find their next home, the Lakers, who are in urgent need of center, are left with Ayton, the life-saving straw to rely on.

To put it simply, if Ayton failed to join the Lakers, the Lakers center may be James again next season. James expressed his dissatisfaction through the mouths of others. The probability of leaving the team is from nothing. James' agent Ritchie Paul stated that "LeBron's goal is still the championship, whether in Los Angeles or not." Shams further revealed that James is closely following the Lakers' dynamics to evaluate where he is in the next one, two or more seasons. Now is a critical moment in the relationship between James and the Lakers

. There are more and more news that the 2025-26 season is very likely to be the best singer of James' Lakers' career. James and the Lakers also did not discuss the future of both sides. James does not want to retire and actively wants to launch an attack on the championship again. If the Lakers cannot meet this requirement, leaving the team will also happen

Now the Lakers management has clearly regarded Doncic as the core of the future, with the Davis being traded to the Mavericks. James's camp is the only one left in the Lakers. (Rivers belongs to the Lakers' management camp) James has not chosen to cut his salary now. He, Doncic (46.9 million) and Reeves (13.9 million) account for the majority of the team's salary. As long as the three of them do not leave the team, it is difficult for the team to make great achievements. The Lakers' final remedy and James' departure may

The Lakers' first and only plan is to use the remaining salary to win Ayton. If Ayton announces joining other teams on July 3, the Lakers' next season can end early. There is no way for a team to go far in the playoffs without a serious center. If this possibility occurs, the team can completely build a team around Doncic. James' departure at the end of the season or early trading can bring considerable future resources or instant combat power reserves to the Lakers. If James can trade for the Knicks' Towns, then the Lakers' entire game can easily be activated

Summary: Ayton will change the pattern of the West and even the entire league

The free market exposed the strategic swing between the Lakers' management in "salute to the legend" and "investment in the future". James has left the team from nothing. If he really fails to sign Ayton, James may take the initiative to apply for a deal and end the Lakers era ahead of schedule. For the Lakers, James' departure will kick off the era of Doncic in advance

The new boss needs a new beginning, and James' departure and Doncic's maximum salary renewal will become the best transition in the new chapter