While the Lakers do not want to trade him, Austin Reaves is now worth multiple picks as a trading chip and could be the only way for L.A. to land the elite starting 3&D wing and backup center they need with LeBron out.
Fortunately, the Pacers, Rockets, and Mavericks are teams whose only chance to compete for an NBA championship this year will depend on finding an able replacement for injured Haliburton, VanVleet, or Irving. Austin Reaves would not only be the ideal short-term replacement for the Pacers’ Tyrese Haliburton, Rockets’ Fred VanVleet, or Mavericks’ Kyrie Irving but also the ideal second or third long-term option for those teams.
While the Lakers’ original plan was to wait 20 to 25 games before making any trade, LeBron James’ injury may have forced them to rethink that plan and look for possible immediate trades now to keep them in contention. Without LeBron James, the Lakers suddenly become very vulnerable at both forward positions with either guards Austin Reaves or Luka Doncic starting at small forward and Rui Hachimura starting at power forward.
The objective in trading Austin Reaves is acquire a 3&D two-way player who could be the Lakers’ starting small forward and a quality backup center who could either protect the rim and/or stretch the court with shooting.
None of the three proposed trades include any draft capital. Instead, the trades are designed to be win-win transactions that solve the team’s roster issues and better positions both teams to compete for a championship.
Let’s see what kind of win-win Austin Reaves trades Rob Pelinka of the Lakers might be able to pull off with Kevin Pritchard of the Pacers, Rafael Stone of the Rockets, or Nico Harrison of the Mavericks.
1. AUSTIN REAVES TO PACERS TRADE
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Here’s a proposed blockbuster trade where the Los Angeles Lakers send a package of Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, and Dalton Knecht to the Indiana Pacers for Aaron Nesmith, Obi Toppin, and Benedict Mathurin.
With Haliburton out all year and Turner leaving in free agency, the time is right for the Pacers to rebuild their core and adding a future All-Star in Reaves to complement Haliburton is a great short and long-term move.
The Lakers meanwhile get their desperately needed elite starting small forward in Nesmith and an upgrade in athleticism and physicality at power forward with Obi Toppin and at shooting guard with Benedict Mathurin.
This trade is a win-win trade for both the Los Angeles Lakers and Indiana Pacers. The Lakers get more athletic and better on defense while the Pacers get a backcourt all-star to replace and then pair with Haliburton.
2. AUSTIN REAVES TO ROCKETS TRADE
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In this proposed blockbuster trade, the Los Angeles Lakers send Austin Reaves and Dalton Knecht to the Houston Rockets in return for backup center Steven Adams and promising young 3&D forward Tari Eason.
Adding Reaves allows the Rockets to return to a more traditional starting lineup with a talented lead guard distributing the ball rather than a bruising two bigs lineup that lacks elite playmaking and shot-making.
The Lakers receive an elite backup center in Adams who will give their offensive and defensive rebounding a dramatic boost and the desperately needed future star 3&D wing to ultimately replace LeBron James.
This trade is a win-win for both the Los Angeles Lakers and the Houston Rockets. The Lakers get their needed starting 3&D wing and quality backup center while the Rockets get the perfect replacement for Fred VanVleet.
3. AUSTIN REAVES TO MAVERICKS TRADE
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The third proposed blockbuster trade has the Los Angeles Lakers sending a package of Austin Reaves and Jarred Vanderbilt to the Dallas Mavericks in return for center Daniel Gafford and 3&D small forward Naj Marshall.
The Mavs get a perfect short-term replacement and long-term complement for Kyrie Irving in rising young combo guard Austin Reaves and an elite point-of-attack perimeter defender in now healthy Jarred Vanderbilt.
Meanwhile, the Lakers fill gaping holes at starting small forward with Naj Marshall and add Daniel Gafford, who has great experience playing with Luka and throwing down dunks off lobs, to the team’s center rotation.
This trade is also a win-win trade for both the Los Angeles Lakers and the Dallas Mavericks. The Lakers once again get their needed starting small forward and quality backup center while Mavs get able Kyrie replacement.
Give it up, Tom. He’s not going anywhere.