The Los Angeles Lakers entered this season with championship expectations after their blockbuster February trade for Luka Dončić from the Dallas Mavericks. Analysts believed that a trio of Dončić, LeBron James, and Austin Reaves could power the Lakers to at least the Western Conference Finals.
However, those hopes were dashed when Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves eliminated the Lakers in the first round, winning the series in five games.
In his end-of-season press conference, Lakers president of basketball operations Rob Pelinka acknowledged the team’s glaring need for a center. In Game 5 against Minnesota, Los Angeles went without a traditional big man and was badly outrebounded, 54-37, including an 18-8 margin on the offensive glass.
Given the urgency to strengthen the frontcourt, Bill Plaschke of The Los Angeles Times believes Pelinka should consider trading Reaves to land a star big man. “I hate writing these next three words,” Plaschke wrote. “Trade Austin Reaves. Send him packing in a deal that brings the Lakers the sort of lob partner and rim protector whose absence knocked you out of the postseason. Use him as the most attractive asset that could lure the sort of behemoth that could help this group bully their way back into contention.”
Reaves had a career-best regular season, averaging 20.2 points per game on 46.0% shooting from the field, 37.7% from three, and 87.7% at the free-throw line over 73 starts. However, his production dipped in the playoffs, as he posted 16.2 points per game on 41.1% shooting overall and just 31.9% from deep. He also struggled defensively, becoming a frequent target for Minnesota.
At 26 years old, Reaves is set to earn $13.9 million next season. It remains to be seen whether Pelinka will move the rising guard in pursuit of a dominant big man to support Dončić and James in what could be a critical window for championship contention.
