AUSTIN REAVES FOR JONATHAN ISAACHere's a trade between the Lakers and Magic that gives the Magic a great young point guard in exchange for Jonathan Isaac and the #16 and #25 picks in the 2025 draft. Austin Reaves would be a perfect fit as starting point guard on the strong… https://t.co/ST8YsL3phO pic.twitter.com/HDxYWLa2iJ— LakerTom (@LakerTom) June 10, 2025
15 mil for a backup center is too much. Besides the Lakers would not do that trade. If you want to trade Austin to the Magic, I would want Bitadze who could be a quality starter at center. 6.6 rebounds, 1.4 blocks and is a decent lob threat in 20 minutes a game. I also would want Anthony Black. He is a 6′ 7″ point guard that is considered one of the best perimeter defenders in the NBA at only 21. He can guard 1 through 3 and play on or off the ball. His offensive efficiency declined in his 2nd year but he has shown a lot of upside on that end. The Lakers stated they would want a foundational piece for Austin, and Black could be that piece. I would probably ask for the Magic’s 2nd first as well.
I like Bitadze and Black but if the Lakers were offered Isaac and two first round picks in this draft, they would jump at the offer. I wouldn’t mind expanding the trade but it’s the 2 picks that make the deal possible.
Isaac is an elite defender and a potential starter if he can continue to stay healthy but a reasonable risk on an expiring contract. I doubt the Magic value Reaves as much as Lakers fans but he would be an excellent fit on the Magic with their great defense.
Love to see what the Lakers could turn #16 and #25 picks into. Once LeBron leaves, Jonathan could be the Lakers starting power forward and backup center if healthy.
The Isaac you like Tom was the guy before injuries limited him to 11 games in 3 years. The Isaac I see is a guy the played 72 game last year but only got 15 minutes a game. He played behind Mo Wagner and Bitadze. If he was still that pre injury guy, trust me he would have played more than 15 minutes. The Lakers have made it clear that an Austin trade would require a long term foundational piece. Black would give us the lock down defender we need and a decent center to boot. Now I’m not expecting an Austin trade but the Lakers would take my deal over yours. Especially considering those picks might not even land anyone in a trade.
What’s the fascination with players that are either injured literally every season, have been severely affected by said injuries or both? Bearing in mind both how often and how many games both Isaac’s and Time Lord have missed and how being both available and consistent have defined Austin’s career some of these fake trades just make me shake my head…
It’s not that I don’t understand that there is a risk/reward equation you’re engaged in. I get it.
But there’s a flip side of being blinded by the idea of a pinch hit grand slam Hail Mary half court heave all in one. Plus, if we’re being honest…Rob just ain’t that guy. He lucked into AD (who orchestrated his own arrival) and he lucked into Luka (thanks Nico). His greatest move has been to fix his greatest mistake.