What would the Lakers look for in a potential trade for Austin Reaves?
The Los Angeles Lakers will be looking to retool their roster this summer, as they look to build a legitimate contender around LeBron James and Luka Doncic.
One of the key pieces in any rebuild would be Austin Reaves. Most would assume, after the brilliant season he had, that he would be untouchable.
But given that Reaves is in the final year of his deal and could look to free agency to make more money, the Lakers might look to move on from him.
Stephen A. Smith warned the Lakers that Reaves shouldn’t be traded at all. But what would it take the Lakers to part ways with the young guard?
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Lakers want ‘top-tier big’ for Austin Reaves
Dan Woike of the LA Times wrote a comprehensive piece about the Los Angeles Lakers heading into the offseason.
He admitted that Rob Pelinka and the Lakers wouldn’t consider moving Austin Reaves unless a ‘top-tier big’ becomes available, with none being around right now.
“People, including the Lakers’ scouts and executives here in Chicago, have openly spoke about the team’s needs at the center position — an obvious priority for Pelinka and Redick.”
“The team has shown no interest in using Reaves in a trade that nets them anything less than a top-tier big, and there really aren’t any of those available, with the two most common names linked to them in the earliest stages of the offseason — Brooklyn’s Nic Claxton and Dallas’ Daniel Gafford.”
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Lakers stuck in a bind with Reaves
Austin Reaves deserves to get paid. There’s no doubt about it. But the most he can re-sign for with the Lakers is about $89 million.
Whereas he can earn nearly $40 million in free agency. It’s hard to see the Lakers matching that salary while paying LeBron James and Luka Doncic big money.
James has made it clear he won’t sacrifice his money to help the Lakers build a roster. So why would it be any different for Reaves.
If anything, the Lakers should use this season as the last chance they get to boast something of a big three with James, Doncic, and Reaves.