In order to save 12 million, the Rockets are cheaper! Now, James is unhappy

Today, the Rockets and Lakers completed the signing of free agents, and ESPN gave ratings A and B+ respectively, but it is said that James is not satisfied with this?

Originally, Finney Smith did not plan to leave. He hoped to finalize a contract with the Lakers after the free market was opened. There are two situations:

First, sign $54 million for three years, with an average salary of $18 million!

Secondly, signed for 4 years of US$90.2 million, with an average salary of US$24.05 million!

However, the Lakers hope that he will execute the 2025-26 player option, worth $15.38 million. Simply put, DFS won $15.38 million from the Lakers and then discussed signing after playing this season.

DFS is not happy now and refuses to execute the player option directly. He turns around and signs with the Rockets for 4 years, with an average salary of 13.25 million US dollars!

Obviously, in terms of salary, it can be said to be cheaper in Rockets! As a defensive forward, the Rockets are even more powerful after getting DFS. They happened to send Dillon away when trading KD. Smith is coming to seamlessly connect.

After losing DFS, the Lakers decided to sign free agent Laravia for two years and $12 million, and the contract is fully guaranteed! Compared with DFS's average salary, the Rockets are at least $12 million, but as we said earlier, it's still cheaper.

ESPN's Shams commented on the Rockets' use of "flane depth improvement" when operating in this way. You should know that DFS's three-point shooting percentage was as high as 41.1% last season and some of the contracts were not guaranteed! To this end, ESPN gave an A for this signing rating!

Brain Windhorst, also from ESPN, gave his own opinion based on whether Laravia can replace DFS, which wrote:

Laravia is still very young but has insufficient resume. Although there is a possibility of performing well, it cannot become an important signing like DFS! In this regard, the signing rating is B+, which is actually very high.

La Lavia's shooting touch was very hot on the outside, with averaging 42.3% of three-point shooting percentage! Personal data: 66 games, averaging 6.9 points, 3.9 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game!

There is still a certain gap compared to DFS, who played 43 regular season games in the Lakers and averaged 7.9 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game. In addition, DFS averaged 6.2 points, 4.2 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game in five playoffs, and had a three-point shooting percentage of 36.8%!

It's no wonder Brain Windhorst mentioned: If you, as James, are still focusing on whether the Lakers want to compete for the championship in the new season but sign Laravia after sending DFS away, you will obviously be unhappy!

This also reminds us of Ritchie Paul's recent remarks:

First, we will evaluate James' current situation to make the best choice. After all, the Lakers need to face great challenges when considering the future and competing!

Secondly, many teams have contacted James and hope to get him!

Obviously, this expression revolves around one core, that is, if James wants to win the championship, his team needs to try his best to satisfy him instead of considering just striving for the future!