The Los Angeles Lakers are by no means short of star power, as their roster features Luka Doncic, LeBron James, and Austin Reaves. However, adding more talent and depth as the NBA season progresses could become a major issue with their currently constructed lineup.
Specifically, as it relates to Reaves, although he has proclaimed loyalty to the Lakers, he is set to become a free agent over the summer and is likely to garner a max contract extension. With how well Reaves has played so far this season, he could cloud the Lakers’ hopes of making a difference-making trade as they fight for their 18th NBA championship.
Writing for Bleacher Report, Dan Favale named Reaves as the Lakers’ top trade asset, and though he’s been playing at an All-Star level, the 27-year-old could stand in the way of Los Angeles making a trade.
“Ranking Reaves as an asset isn’t problematic because he’s “older,” or because he’s headed for free agency next summer (player option). It’s difficult because the Los Angeles Lakers could be hard-pressed to upgrade from him,” Favale wrote. “Reaves can be considered dispensable if the right two-way force is coming back.”
While Reaves was prominently featured in trade rumors over the summer, his play this year has quieted the idea of the Lakers moving on from him before the trade deadline. Yet still, he remains their best trade asset if the front office chooses to find a defensive upgrade and give Doncic even further control of the offense.
Austin Reaves Is The Lakers’ Top Trade Asset
Along with naming Reaves atop the Lakers’ list of their top trade assets, Favale also listed the team’s 2031 first-round pick and Rui Hachimura as other valuable assets that franchises around the league could be interested in.
But still, with Reaves making less than the mid-level expectation and averaging 27.8 points per game, it is fair to say he might be the most valuable player in the league, strictly based on his performance compared to his salary, which might mean the Lakers could get a top target in the trade market.
“If another team views his capacity to carry an entire offense as a king’s ransom equivalent, the Lakers shouldn’t be so quick to hang up the phone, even if they don’t view LeBron James as central to the immediate future,” Favale wrote.
Los Angeles has the chance to offer Reaves a deal worth $241 million in the offseason, and with the potential of a contract like that, along with Doncic’s new deal, that could extremely hinder their team-building ability for the next few years.
The Slovenian star has proven to play well with defensive-minded bigs and wings, and though he and Reaves have been solid as a backcourt duo, if the Lakers want one of their top targets like Herb Jones, Trey Murphy, Andrew Wiggins, Daniel Gafford, or even Giannis Antetokounmpo, the asking price for any of them could very well include Reaves.
“Dončić is organizational stability unto himself, but six years is a long time,” Favale added. “Anything can happen.”
Lakers Trade Rumors
Along with having reported interest in the previously named players, the Lakers also could have a few guys on the chopping block before the early-February trade deadline.
According to John Hollinger of The Athletic, both Maxi Kleber and Gabe Vincent are the team’s most likely players to be traded.
“Los Angeles must tread carefully because it’s so close to the first apron, where the Lakers are hard-capped, but adding $23 million in salary is possible if Vincent and Kleber are the outgoing salaries,” Hollinger wrote.
The uncertain futures of James, Reaves, and Hachimura also complicate the Lakers’ future plans, but for now, they seem adamant on building a team that fits well with Doncic.
There are still questions about whether Reaves is a part of that future, but with his play this season and potential contract extension over the summer, his value remains the team’s biggest asset.
“I’d probably file this one under ‘opportunism.’ The Lakers don’t need to chase bad deals, but their expiring money and the one first could let them pounce if an optimal situation presents itself,” Hollinger added.
The Lakers are currently 18-7 and third in the West. They still have some issues with perimeter defense and shotmaking, but now have a ton of players that could be major assets if they are keen on upgrading their roster.
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