The Lakers might trade Austin Reaves for a center this offseason. Is there a deal with the Jazz that makes sense to do?https://t.co/yImTYpgCFT— Jazz Nation (@JazzNationCP) May 21, 2025
Austin Reaves to Jazz, Walker Kessler to Lakers
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May 21, 2025 2 Comments
FROM THE ABOVE ARTICLE:
Jazz receive:
-Austin Reaves
-Gabe Vincent
-2031 first-round pick
Lakers receive:
-Walker Kessler,
-Jordan Clarkson
-Keyonte George
-Two second-round picks
Why could the Jazz trade for Austin Reaves?
The Western Conference is stacked, and all of the best teams have multiple stars. In the Western Conference Finals, the Oklahoma City Thunder have the likely MVP in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and two more All-Star caliber teammates in Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren. The Minnesota Timberwolves, meanwhile, have one of the best players in the league in Anthony Edwards. He is joined by a number of other solid players, but most notably, Julius Randle has played in the All-Star game before, and Rudy Gobert is a four-time Defensive Player of the Year.
The Denver Nuggets have Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray; the Golden State Warriors have Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, and Jimmy Butler; and the Los Angeles Clippers have James Harden and Kawhi Leonard. Even an up-and-coming team like the San Antonio Spurs has multiple stars, as Victor Wembanyama and De’Aaron Fox should make waves as a duo next season. The point is clear that, while depth is important, the NBA is still a star-driven league.
Lauri Markkanen has All-Star experience, but the Jazz need another elite player, especially because Markkanen had a down year. Considering Reaves scored 20.2 points on a team with other ball-dominant players, he could become a legitimate star for a team like the Jazz. On top of Reaves, the Jazz might be able to squeeze a future first-round pick out of the Lakers.
THE “GREEK FREAK!” Do it ROB! Figure a way!