Modern NBA coaches implement schemes to hide their star players defensively, especially when those players are not as adept on the other end. In the case of the Los Angeles Lakers, two of their offensively gifted stars, Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, are defensively challenged, and LeBron James, who turns 41 soon, is unable to slow down quality scorers at this stage of his career.
To Reaves’ credit, he has taken on tough perimeter assignments this season, especially in lineups also including James and Doncic. Interestingly, when all three stars are on the floor, the Lakers are allowing opponents to shoot at a respectable 49% from the field and 38% from three. That number is slightly better than their overall opponent FG% and in lineups with Deandre Ayton and Rui Hachimura, the other two starters.
The Lakers are intent on freeing up Reaves from some of those assignments by pulling off a trade for a stout wing defender, according to The Athletic’s Dan Woike.
Lakers Trade Wishlist
“There’s a recognition that finding more defensive help on the perimeter is important for a lot of different reasons. The Lakers would like to take those assignments off Reaves’ plate,” Woike reported on Dec. 19, while examining Lakers’ trade prospects.
“They’d like to better balance some lineups. And of course, they’d like to give themselves better chances against speedy guards like Keyonte George, who lit up the Lakers for 34 points Thursday in L.A.’s 143-135 win.
“How they actually get this done, though, is another question, one that doesn’t have an easy answer. Supply is low. Demand, likely, will be high.”
Further to Woike’s point, the Lakers defense has had its hands full against athletic, dribble-penetrating guards. Most recently, JJ Redick’s team had troubles against Philadelphia 76ers’ Tyrese Maxey and then the San Antonio Spurs‘ three-headed guard combo of De’Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper in the NBA Cup quarterfinal. Thereafter, the Keyonte George-led Jazz torched them with 78 first-half points.
Critical Stretch in AR’s Career
So, who could the Lakers target to free up Reaves on the defensive end?
Woike’s report named the New Orleans Pelicans‘ Herb Jones, Sacramento Kings’ Keon Ellis, Miami Heat’s Andrew Wiggins, LA Clippers‘ Derrick Jones Jr., Brooklyn Nets‘ Terrance Mann, Charlotte Hornets’ Josh Green and Chicago Bulls‘ Ayo Dosunmu as potential Lakers trade targets ahead of the Feb. 5 deadline.
The next five months or so could determine whether Austin Reaves is truly worth a contract exceeding $240 million or if his counting statistics are misleading. Last season, too, Reaves registered career-highs across the board, but had a subpar showing in the playoff series against the Minnesota Timberwolves, with significant dips in his numbers and efficiency. He was also targeted defensively by Anthony Edwards.
In an ideal world, the Lakers would find a quality wing defender to cover for Reaves, Doncic and James before the deadline. Last season, they had Dorian Finney-Smith helping in that role. This year, they have Marcus Smart, who has been excellent defensively, but a severe offensive liability. In Saturday’s loss to the Clippers, Smart shot 1-of-12 from the field and 0-for-9 from three and was a -10 on the floor.
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