James agent clarified! The Lakers traded Wei Shao, which was done by management, and had nothing to do with James

In the 2021 offseason, the Lakers sent Kuzma, Pope, Harrell and the No. 22 pick in the first round, and the Wizards' Willis and second-round picks in 2024 and 2028.

The Lakers management brought in Wei Shao at that time, hoping that Wei Shao would use his physical fitness and breakthrough ability to share the pressure of James' ball-handling, especially in the critical stages of the playoffs. In addition, the Lakers' original backcourt offensive and defensive stability is insufficient, and Wei Shao's impact and defense are considered to improve competitiveness.

However, as Wei Shao played more and more games with the Lakers, people gradually found that Wei Shao's style of play was not compatible with the Lakers' system, and his inefficient ball handling was contrary to the Lakers' spatial lineup needs. After the Lakers sent Kuzma and Pope away, the front-line defense and projection ability decreased significantly. Moreover, Wei Shao's athletic ability declined after the age of 33, and it was difficult for him to take on the core role.

After a year and a half with the Lakers, Westbrook was traded to the Jazz and then moved to the Clippers and Nuggets. Originally, when he played for the Clippers, Wei Shao was always the starter, but they also found that Wei Shao's ability was not enough to start and lead the team, and then let him start from the bench to lead the second team, and finally sat firmly in the position of the team's bench boss.

Since 2021, there have been many voices from the outside world that said that it was James who manipulated the team's management and made the management introduce Wei Shao. Recently, James' agent Rich Paul said on the show that it was not James' decision to trade for Willis. "That claim [James is in control of the team] is false. I can say that because I'm in the middle of it. When you think about this and that statement, people don't think about the impact it has on the sidelines. It's going to hurt friendships, it's going to hurt guys who play on the same team, because they're like, 'Hey, I might have been traded, because you want to kick me out.'" ’”

"It's not true. When someone (management) comes up to you and asks what you think of someone, you might say 'um, uh, this one', or you don't want to talk about it at all. But they'll keep asking you until you say, 'Okay, since you think it's the best option, you go for it.'" But it's not like I'm making a decision, I'm just agreeing with you. After all, the team is not mine, and I am not part of the management. Obviously, LeBron didn't control the team because there were some things that he didn't even know were happening. So, how can he take control of this team? The Westbrook deal, which he didn't participate in, is contrary to what people try to claim. He didn't make that deal, and I know that very well. ”

The deal is doomed to fail for the Lakers. Pelinka, the Lakers' general manager, has been criticized for being in a hurry, overestimating the fit of Westbrook and underestimating the negative impact of system compatibility and age on athleticism.

James has been hacked a lot in recent years because of Wei Shao's transactions, and too many people can't see James's goodness. Rich Paul also said, "Michael Jordan never had a 24-hour, 365-day news cycle. He never specifically criticized his show. People have made millions of dollars by criticizing LeBron James. That's what they're all about. ”

Finally, let's look at the news of a wave of Lakers signings.

According to ClutchPoints, Lakers management is reconsidering a name they had quietly focused on before the trade deadline: Onyeka Okongu.

The Hawks' high-flying big man is exactly the kind of partner Doncic needs, a vertical threat who can pull off dunks, grab rebounds and protect the rim. Truth be told, the Lakers have been lacking the kind of athletic big man who can put pressure under the basket and make defenders afraid to make mistakes in pick-and-roll coordination. Defensively, Okongu can bring much-needed switching ability and positivity to the Lakers' interior.

By the way, James took someone for a ride in a roadster today. Still wearing gloves to drive, this is the offseason dry driving?