If the Lakers could construct the prototypical center to play next to LeBron James and Luka Doncic, it would resemble Jaren Jackson Jr., an excellent rim protector, rim runner, lob threat and three-point shooter.
Naturally, it would take a massive haul from the Lakers to pry Jackson Jr., a former Defensive Player of the Year, from the Grizzlies.
Basketball Forever proposed a trade that would see the Lakers acquire Jackson Jr. in a package centered around Austin Reaves.
Lakers would receive: Jaren Jackson Jr.
Grizzlies would receive: Austin Reaves, Dalton Knecht, Maxi Kleber, 2031 Los Angeles Lakers first-round pick
How JJJ Fits With the Lakers
Fadeaway World explained why the hypothetical trade would help the Lakers enormously, covering for the defensive weaknesses of James and Doncic.
“With LeBron James and Luka Doncic at the helm, the Lakers have a glaring void at center after trading Anthony Davis to Dallas earlier this year,” read the article.
“They were forced to rely on patchwork lineups featuring Jaxson Hayes, Jarred Vanderbilt, and Rui Hachimura during the playoffs, none of whom could provide the interior defense, rim protection, or scoring that Jackson Jr. brings.
“Jaren Jackson Jr. is not just a stopgap big man. He averaged 22.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.2 steals, and 1.5 blocks during the 2024–25 season. He shot 37.5% from three-point range and has emerged as a legitimate scoring threat inside and out. He’s also just two seasons removed from leading the league in blocks and winning Defensive Player of the Year.”
Lakers Hesitant to Trade Reaves
The hypothetical trade solves a lot of the Lakers’ issues, but there’s no guarantee that the team will part with Reaves, who enjoyed a career year in his fourth season. Reaves — who averaged a career-high 20.2 points, 5.8 assists and 4.5 rebounds — is known to be a favorite of Lakers head coach JJ Redick, and the two share a close bond.
As such, the Lakers are unlikely to part with Reaves unless it fethces them a quality big man, according to Dan Woike of the LA Times.
In a report published on May 16, Woike wrote that the Lakers remain high on Reaves and will trade him under only one condition.
“The team has shown no interest in using Reaves in a trade that nets them anything less than a top-tier big, and there 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,” wrote Woike.
For what it’s worth, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst categorically shot down the idea of the Grizzlies parting with Jaren Jackson Jr. The chatter of Memphis blowing up the roster surfaced after they traded Desmond Bane, one of their core pieces for years.
“No chance,” Windhorst said when asked if Jackson could be dealt to the Lakers this offseason. “No chance. “Absolutely not worth a discussion. Look, I think Jaren Jackson is now in a position to sign a contract extension of over $200 million. I would feel very strongly that’s going to happen.”
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