Lakerholics

After their sorry first round exit and the playoff surge by a new guard of younger NBA teams and players, the Lakers must accept their only realistic championship path left will probably require trading Austin Reaves.

Without Austin Reaves, the Lakers simply don’t have enough highly coveted players or draft capital to trade for the elite rim protecting defensive center and the quality point-of-attack perimeter defender they need to contend. The Lakers’ current trading chips include their 2031 first round pick, $40.1 million in Hachimura, Vincent, and Kleber’s expiring contracts, last year’s #17 draft pick Dalton Knecht, and their 2026, 2028, 2030, 2032 pick swaps.

Besides being their most valuable trading chip, Austin Reaves will be eligible to sign a 4-year $89 million extension this summer. Reports are he will decline that offer and seek over $30 million per year as a free agent. While the last thing the Lakers want to do is trade a budding home-grown star on a team friendly contract, their need to optimize LeBron’s last years and to convince Luka to sign an extension may require trading Reaves.

The Lakers will open next year as a team under the first apron. Assuming they send out as much salary as the bring back, they should finish the season under the first apron and be able to use the $14.1 million NT MLE.
For the Lakers need to have room under the first apron player to be able to use the NT MLE, they would need LeBron James would have to accept less than the max salary next season, which is something he offered last year.

The Lakers say they would only trade Reaves for a foundational player. Here are 6 blockbuster Austin Reaves trades the Lakers should seriously consider if they want to create a path to win the championship this year.

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AUSTIN REAVES, 6′ 5″, 197 lbs, 26-years old, $13.9M/yr
20.2 pts, 4.5 rebs, 5.8 asts, 0.3 blk, 1.1 stls in 34.9 mpg
Shooting 14.2/7.3/5.0 shots for 46.0/37.7/87.7%

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1. JAREN JACKSON JR.

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Lakers get elite former DPOY as the perfect modern NBA center in Jaren Jackson, Jr., who can stretch the floor with his 3-point shooting and protect the rim with his shot blocking and defend in space with his quickness.

Grizzlies get a budding superstar in Austin Reaves who can shoot the three, playmake for his teammates, and has not yet gotten close to his ultimate ceiling. He is exactly what Memphis needs in a smart, savvy point guard.

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JAREN JACKSON JR, 6′ 10″, 242 lbs, 25-years old, $23.4M/yr
22.2 pts, 5.6 rebs, 2.0 asts, 1.5 blk, 1.2 stls in 29.8 mpg
Shooting 15.4/5.3/5.4 shots for 48.8/37.5/78.1%

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2. WALKER KESSLER & COLLIN SEXTON

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Lakers get the young bruising, rim protecting center in Walker Kessler to pair with Luka Doncic and a young sharp-shooting point guard in Collin Sexton to come off the bench as the team’s 6th man and backup point.

Jazz get best player in the trade in Austin Reaves and the only Lakers player who would tempt Danny Ainge to trade Kessler to the Lakers. Jazz also get L.A.’s unprotected 2031 pick and 1–4 protection off of Lakers 2027 pick.

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COLLIN SEXTON, 6′ 3″, 190 lbs, 26-years old, $19.2M/yr
18.4 pts, 2.7 rebs, 4.2 asts, 0.1 blk, 0.7 stls in 27.9 mpg
Shooting 13.8/4.3/4.0 shots for 48.0/40.6/86.5%

WALKER KESSLER, 7′ 0″, 245 lbs, 23-years old, $4.9M/yr
11.1 pts, 12.2 rebs, 1.7 asts, 2.4 blk, 0.6 stls in 30.0 mpg
Shooting 7.2/0.6/2.6 shots for 68.0/17.6/52.0%

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3. LUGUENTZ DORT

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Lakers get elite two-way point-of-attack defensive guard Luguentz Dort to replace one-way point guard Austin Reaves and pair with Luka Doncic in their backcourt of the future. Dort is also a 40% volume 3-point shooter.

Austin Reaves, much like Alex Caruso, is one of those special players who can survive the Thunders’ deluge of draft picks. Reaves and Dort are due extensions. Reaves’ offense is great fit for OKC as Dort’s defense is for L.A.

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LUGUENNTZ DORT, 6′ 4″, 220 lbs, 26-years old, $17.7M/yr
10.1 pts, 4.1 rebs, 1.6 asts, 0.5 blk, 1.1 stls in 29.2 mpg
Shooting 8.4/5.8/0.6 shots for 43.5/41.2/71.7%

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4. JRUE HOLIDAY

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Lakers get elite two-way point-of-attack defensive guard Jrue Holiday to replace one-way point guard Austin Reaves and pair with Luka Doncic in backcourt. Lakers also get 2 seconds for taking on Jrue’s bad contract.

Austin Reaves gives the Celtics a replacement for point guard Jrue Holiday who’s 8 years younger and $20 million per year cheaper plus an opportunity to save $18.3 million by allowing Rui Hachimura’s big contract to expire.

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JRUE HOLIDAY, 6′ 4″, 205 lbs, 34-years old, $32.4M/yr
11.1 pts, 4.3 rebs, 3.9 asts, 0.4 blk, 1.1 stls in 30.6 mpg
Shooting 9.2/4.9/1.2 shots for 44.3/35.3/90.0%

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5. DENI AVDIJA & ROBERT WILLIAMS III

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Lakers get two-way player Deni Avdija to replace one-way player Rui Hachimura at starting power forward and dynamic but injury prone two-way center Robert Williams III to become L.A.’s new starting center.

Blazers get best player in the trade in Austin Reaves, who would be a perfect mentor for 21-year old Scoot Henderson, and an immediate replacement at power forward for Deni Avdija in Rui Hachimura.

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DENI AVDIJA, 6′ 9″, 240 lbs, 24-years old, $14.4M/yr
16.9 pts, 7.3 rebs, 3.9 asts, 0.5 blk, 1.0 stls in 30.0 mpg
Shooting 11.7/4.8/5.2 shots for 47.6/36.5/78.0%

ROBERT WILLIAMS III, 6′ 9″, 249 lbs, 27-years old, $13.3M/yr
5.8 pts, 5.9 rebs, 1.1 asts, 1.7 blk, 0.7 stls in 17.6 mpg
Shooting 3.9/0.2/0.9 shots for 64.1/33.3/88.2%

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6. JONATHAN ISAAC & GOGA BITADZE

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Lakers get two elite defensive big men who can protect the rim and defend in space in power forward Jonathan Isaac and center Goga Bitadze. Both can play the 4 and 5 and together they would be a great center rotation.

Magic get a second star point guard and 3-point shooter in Austin Reaves and a potentially elite sharp-shooting wing in young Dalton Knecht. Magic would waive Shake Milton as he is just salary filler to make trade work.

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JONATHAN ISAAC, 6′ 10″, 230 lbs, 27-years old, $15.0M/yr
5.4 pts, 4.4 rebs, 0.6 asts, 1.1 blk, 0.9 stls in 15.4 mpg
Shooting 4.6/2.1/1.5 shots for 41.4/25.8/68.2%

GOGA BITADZE, 6′ 10″, 250 lbs, 25-years old, $8.3M/yr
7.2 pts, 6.6 rebs, 2.0 asts, 1.4 blk, 0.7 stls in 20.4 mpg
Shooting 4.8/0.4/1.9 shots for 61.1/10.7/63.9%

In the wake of Kyrie’s injury, Mavs winning draft lottery, and Lakers being punked in first round, Nico Harrison and Rob Pelinka have an opportunity to reimagine the Luka-For-AD trade via a second trade to fix both rosters.

Circumstances have changed dramatically for both the Mavs and Lakers since the infamous Luka-For-AD trade and it’s highly likely that those changes may reopen the door for Nico and Rob to make a second trade. There’s no question, with Kyrie likely out for part or all of next season, the Mavs need to find a starting point guard and there’s also no question the Lakers’ top offseason priority will be to trade for a starting quality center.

Trades in the NBA are about front office relationships as much as matching needs. Nico Harrison and Rob Pelinka have had a long-time relationship that started when Nico was with Nike and Rob was Kobe Bryant’s agent.
So when general managers need something, the tendency is to reach out to other GMs with whom they have a good relationship. Despite the criticism of Nico for trading Luka, he and Rob still have a good working relationship.

While many observers believe the Mavs didn’t get fair value from L.A. when trading Luka Doncic, Nico has been unyielding in his support for the trade and belief that Anthony Davis will be more valuable than Luka Doncic.
Ironically, there are solid reasons Nico and Rob should revisit the Luka-For-AD trade and reimagine it via a second 6-player win-win trade to address the new changes in circumstances and solve both teams’ roster problems.

The proposed second trade would be a straight trade of 3 Mavs players whom the Lakers need for 3 Lakers players whom the Jazz need. The trade would be win-win for both teams and would not include any draft capital.

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NICO AND ROB RE-IMAGINE LUKA-FOR-AD TRADE

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The original Luka-For-AD trade failed to address the Lakers’ obvious need for a quality starting center to replace Anthony Davis or the Mavericks’ need, once Kyrie Irving tore his left ACL, for a quality starting point guard.

Fortunately for both teams, they can easily fix those problems with a 3 for 3 trade where the Mavs get Reaves to cover for the injured Irving while the Lakers get bigger and better on defense with Gafford and Washington.
Drafting Cooper Flagg will probably signal the end of the road for center Daniel Gafford and power forward PJ Washington with the Mavs, as neither are projected to start next season after which they will both become UFA’s.

The Mavericks get the best player in the trade in Austin Reaves, who can replace Kyrie Irving next season. They also receive Rui Hachimura and Dalton Knecht, two elite 3-point shooters whom the Mavs need for spacing.
The Lakers receive needed front court size in Gafford and Washington plus the return of young shooting guard Max Christie. All three Mavs players would likely be in the Lakers starting lineup with Luka and LeBron.

The second Lakers and Mavericks trade is not only a win-win on its own but also goes a long way towards fixing the original Luka-For-AD trade by solving both teams’ major roster issues without costing any draft capital.
While the Mavs get Austin Reaves, who’s the best player in the trade, the Lakers receive equal value in acquiring center Daniel Gafford and power forward to PJ Washington plus getting team favorite Max Christie back.

Bottom line, Nico and Rob reimagined Luka-For-AD trade so L.A. receives Doncic, Kleber, Morris, Gafford, and Washington while Dallas receives
Davis, Reaves, Hachimura, Knecht, and the Lakers’ 2029 first round pick.

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LOS ANGELES LAKERS’ POST-TRADE DEPTH CHART

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The Lakers’ post-trade revised depth chart now has Luke Doncic starting at point guard, Max Christie at shooting guard, LeBron James at small forward, PJ Washington at power forward, and Daniel Gafford at center.

The re-imagined Luka-For-AD trade has dramatically solved the Lakers front court defensive problems by replacing center Jaxson Hayes with Daniel Gafford and power forward Rui Hachimura with PJ Washington.
With Max Christie returning and replacing Austin Reaves at starting shooting guard, the Lakers have defensively upgraded three of their five starting positions as Nico and Rob re-imagined the Luka-For-AD trade.

Financially, the Lakers remain under the first apron after the trade, which opens up the possibility that they could use the $14.2 million per year NT MLE and the $5.7 million BAE to sign a pair of elite free agents wings.
For the Lakers to have enough cap space under the first apron to use the NT MLE and BAE, LeBron James would have to re-sign with a discount to create enough space under the cap for the Lakers to use their exceptions.

Assuming LeBron was willing to take less so that the Lakers could add two valuable role players to a dramatically improved and balance starting lineup and rotation, the Lakers could catapult themselves to title favorites.
There are going to be some very valuable role players available for the $14.2 million per year NT MLE and the $5.7 million per year BAE. Players are going to be fighting for an opportunity to join a championship team.

If the Rob and Nico can pull off this re-imagining of the Luka-For-AD trade and Pelinka can use the NT MLE and BAE to land another pair of two-way role players, the Lakers will become legitimate championship contenders.

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DALLAS MAVERICKS’ POST-TRADE DEPTH CHART

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The Mavs’ post-trade depth chart has Austin Reaves starting at point until Kyrie returns, Klay Thompson at shooting guard, Cooper Flagg at small forward, Anthony Davis at power forward, and Dereck Lively at center.

Once Kyrie returns, the Mavs starting lineup will revert to Kyrie Irving at the point, Klay Thompson at two guard, rookie Cooper Flagg at small forward, Anthony Davis at power forward, and Dereck Lively at center.
The re-imagined Luka-For-AD trade completely revamped the Mavs’ bench and depth by adding Austin Reaves to back up Kyrie Irving, Dalton Knecht to backup Klay Thompson, and Rui Hachimura to backup Anthony Davis.

The re-imagined Luka-For-AD trade also gives Mavs three elite shooters to create space for Dallas’ new superstar front court in shooting guard Austin Reaves, small forward Dalton Knecht, and power forward Rui Hachimura.
The versatility and offensive firepower Dallas gains by adding Reaves, Hachimura, and Knecht via the second Lakers and Mavs trade is what makes the re-imagined Luka-For-AD trade a legitimate win-win trade.

In fact, there’s an argument to be made that once the offseason dust has settled, the Dallas Mavericks could suddenly become the new favorites to win the 2025–26 NBA Championship rather than the Los Angeles Lakers.
While the re-imagined Luka-For-AD trade solved the Lakers starting center issue and the backcourt defensive problem, Dallas may have benefitted even more than Los Angeles by the second Lakers and Mavericks trade.

Bottom line, re-imagining the Luka-For-AD trade could conceivably leave the Dallas Mavericks with the deepest and most talented starting lineups and rotations in the entire NBA and make them the title favorites.

Heading into the offseason, the Los Angeles Lakers need to trade Austin Reaves for an elite defensive guard to pair with Luka Doncic and trade their one available first round pick for a starting center to anchor their defense.

Since trading for a starting center is the Lakers’ top offseason priority, Pelinka has likely set aside either their 2030 or 2031 first round pick to be the likely sweetener in a mega trade for next season’s starting center. That means that the sweetener in a Lakers’ trade for an elite defensive guard to pair with Luka Doncic will have to be their budding young stars, specifically point guard Austin Reaves and small forward Dalton Knecht.

While the Lakers are publicly saying they would not trade Austin Reaves unless it was for a foundational player who could lead to championships, there’s a strong undercurrent that trading Reaves will become necessary. The combination of concern over Austin’s defense, his fit with Luka, and the risk of losing him for nothing to free agency will become even more compelling once summer starts. Ultimately, L.A. will have to trade him.

The question the Los Angeles Lakers need to answer is what is Austin Reaves’ trade value? He’s now a legitimate 20/5/5 player who’s exceeded his purported individual ceiling as a player so many times we’ve lost count.
He’s also shown he can be a dynamic third star on a contending team but can he be the second star on that team? Many were surprised when no teams pursued him as an RFA. Will teams pursue Reaves this time?

What the Lakers want for Austin Reaves is an alpha dog defensive guard who can step right in and be the point-of-attack defender who perfectly complements Luka Doncic and can guard the opposing team’s best scorer.
There are two types of foundational defensive guards for whom the Lakers would trade Reaves. The first is a dynamic young guard who earns around what Reaves makes. The second is an expensive proven All-Pro veteran.

So let’s look at four Austin Reaves trades for a defensive guard to pair with Luka Doncic, including two for an elite young defensive guard with upside and two for a proven older All-Defensive veteran NBA shooting guard.

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1. HAWKS’ DYSON DANIELS

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DYSON DANIELS, 6′ 7″, 199 lbs, 22-years old, $7.8M/yr
14.1 pts, 5.9rebs, 4.4 asts, 0.7blk, 3.0stls in 33.8 mpg
Shooting 12.1/3.1/1.8 shots for 49.3/34.0/59.3%

AUSTIN REAVES, 6′ 5″, 197 lbs, 26-years old, $13.9M/yr
20.2 pts, 4.5 rebs, 5.8 asts, 0.3 blk, 1.1 stls in 34.9 mpg
Shooting 14.2/7.3/5.0 shots for 46.0/37.7/87.7%

Dyson Daniels, the Atlanta Hawks elite defensive guard and league steals leader, is the first of two elite young defensive guards whom the Lakers should try to pry away from their teams in a trade for Austin Reaves.

For the Lakers, Daniels would be the perfect perimeter defensive stud they need to pair with Luka Doncic. His alpha-dog ball-hawking 1-on-1 defense and 6′ 7″ size is exactly what the Lakers need defensively at point-of-attack.
A Lakers backcourt of 6′ 7″ Luke Doncic and 6′ 7″ Dyson Daniels would be a bully ball threat on both offense and defense. Daniels’ pressure defense and versatile offense will quickly make Lakers fans forget about Reaves.

For the Hawks, they need a legitimate second scorer and additional playmaker to help Trae Young. Bringing in a consummate pro like Austin Reaves is also exactly the type of culture the Hawks front office wants.
While Daniels is great on defense, he doesn’t stretch the floor the way that Reaves does or make plays for others. Austin is exactly what the Hawks need, a trustworthy second scorer and playmaker to go with Trae Young.

The Hawks are without a long-term general manager after firing Landry Fields so nobody knows for sure what direction they will be going. Trading the MIPY, All-Defensive first team, and NBA steals leader would be gutsy.
But the opportunity to trade for Austin Reaves, who could be the perfect backcourt mate and co-star Trae Young has never had. It will be interesting to see who takes over the Atlanta front office and the direction they chose.

Austin Reaves to the Hawks and Dyson Daniels to the Lakers would be win-win for both teams. Hawks would get a second star to pair with Trae Young and Lakers would get an elite defensive guard to pair with Luka Doncic.

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2. THUNDER’S LUGUENTZ DORT

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LUGUENNTZ DORT, 6′ 4″, 220 lbs, 26-years old, $17.7M/yr
10.1 pts, 4.1 rebs, 1.6 asts, 0.5 blk, 1.1 stls in 29.2 mpg
Shooting 8.4/5.8/0.6 shots for 43.5/41.2/71.7%

AUSTIN REAVES, 6′ 5″, 197 lbs, 26-years old, $13.9M/yr
20.2 pts, 4.5 rebs, 5.8 asts, 0.3 blk, 1.1 stls in 34.9 mpg
Shooting 14.2/7.3/5.0 shots for 46.0/37.7/87.7%

Luguentz Dort, an elite 3&D defensive guard for the OKC Thunder, is the second of two elite young defensive guards whom the Lakers should try to pry away from their teams in a trade for combo guard Austin Reaves.

For the Lakers, Lu Dort would also be a perfect elite defensive guard and backcourt mate for Luka Doncic. His defensive force is more bully ball and outright physicality than Daniels’ extreme length and hands-on pressure.
One benefit of trading for Dort over Daniels is Lu has developed into a high percentage 3-point shooter, taking almost 6 3-point attempts per game. Like Daniels, Dort would qualify as a foundational defensive piece for the L.A.

For the Thunder, Austin Reaves could be the star offensive player and volume 3-point sharp shooter they don’t currently have other than SGA. Reaves gives them that second offensive star to score or share the ball.
OKC is so deep that they are going to have make decisions about whom they extend and whom they trade as players reach their contract end. Dort will become a free agent after the end of next season. He may be expendable.

The Thunder traded Luguentz Dort for Austin Reaves for the same reason they traded Josh Giddey for Alex Caruso. They need players who can be stars in their role and contribute to winning on team friendly contract.
OKC still has so many elite draft picks that it forces them to constantly be evaluating both their players and their remaining picks to determine which are long term assets and which are more likely to be moved in trade.

An Austin Reaves and Dalton Knecht trade for Luguentz Dort would benefit the Lakers defensively and be great for Luka Doncic while helping the Thunder offensively by giving SGA a trusted second scorer and playmaker.

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3. CELTICS’ JRUE HOLIDAY

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JRUE HOLIDAY, 6′ 4″, 205lbs, 34-years old, $32.4M/yr
11.1 pts, 4.3 rebs, 3.9 asts, 0.4 blk,, 1.1 stls in 30.6 mpg
Shooting 9.2/4.9/1.2 shots for 44.3/35.3/90.9%

AUSTIN REAVES, 6′ 5″, 197 lbs, 26-years old, $13.9M/yr
20.2 pts, 4.5 rebs, 5.8 asts, 0.3 blk, 1.1 stls in 34.9 mpg
Shooting 14.2/7.3/5.0 shots for 46.0/37.7/87.7%

If the Lakers can’t get Dyson Daniels or Luguentz Dort, they should turn their focus to 34-year old, Jrue Holiday, who is still one of the best two-way point guards in the NBA and likely to be available in trade from the Celtics.

For the Lakers, trading for 34-year old Jrue Holiday is a totally different situation than trading for a younger player with a longer timeline. Both the matching salaries to trade and annual cost of payroll are much greater.
What makes the trade still viable for the Lakers is just how well Jrue Holiday can still play at both ends of the court and the fact that the Lakers do want to optimize the championship chances for Luka and LeBron.

The Celtics are projected to have a payroll over $500 million next season, with more than half going towards luxury tax payments. Suddenly, Boston cannot afford $30 million per year to Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis.
They need to trade those two players for less expensive and easier to move contracts. Boston needs to swap Holiday for a rising young star like Reaves, talented young shooter like Knecht, and expiring contract in Gabe Vincent.

Trading for Jrue Holiday, who makes $32.4 million per year will require Lakers to give up Austin Reaves, Gabe Vincent, and Dalton Knecht. Reaves and Knecht are young stars under contract while Vincent is expiring.
Once Vincent’s contract expires, the Celtics will have turned Holiday’s $32.4 million per year salary into Reaves and Knecht’s $17.9 million per year. That’s a cut in salaries of 14.5 million per year or a 45% reduction in pay.

For the Lakers, it’s a chance to take advantage of the Celtics‘ financial ’downsizing to trade for an All-NBA defensive guard who would be the perfect backcourt mate for superstar point guard Luka Doncic.

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4. CELTICS’ DERRICK WHITE

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DERRICK WHITE, 6′ 4″, 190 lbs, 30-years old, $28.1M/yr
16.4 pts, 4.5 rebs, 4.8 asts, 1.1 blk, 0.9 stls in 33.9 mpg
Shooting 12.6/9.1/2.1 shots for 44.2/38.4/83.9%

AUSTIN REAVES, 6′ 5″, 197 lbs, 26-years old, $13.9M/yr
20.2 pts, 4.5 rebs, 5.8 asts, 0.3 blk, 1.1 stls in 34.9 mpg
Shooting 14.2/7.3/5.0 shots for 46.0/37.7/87.7%

The other proven elite veteran defensive guard the Lakers should consider if they can’t land one of their younger, less expensive targets is the other Celtics starting guard Derrick White, who could be part of salary dump.

For the Lakers, White is three years younger and $4 million less per year than Holiday although the 3rd year on his deal will cost $19 million more. While White is probably better offensively, Holiday is the better defender.
Holiday is going to be moved no matter what while White’s future is not known for sure. He’s younger than Jrue and one of the few legitimate 3&D guards in the league who has a knack for coming up big in big moments.

For the Celtics, the owners knew when they assembled this team, won a ring, and then sold the team to new ownership that the great roster they had build was simply unsustainable financially under the current CBA.
All-Defensive NBA first team guards rarely become available for trade. Trading White for Reaves could be the perfect way for Boston to downsize their payroll while possibly upgrading their offense and 3-point shooting.

The bigger question is what is Austin Reaves ceiling as a player, because that will determine his value. Right now, he is not being valued as a legitimate 20/5/5 player despite having done so as the team’s 3rd option.
But 26-year old undrafted white players who are not exceptionally athletic are rarely given an opportunity to get dramatically better or even paid as much as their numbers and play says they should in the modern NBA.

If the Lakers want to trade for a proven elite veteran defensive guard to pair with Luka Doncic but want to avoid 34-year old Jrue Holiday, then Derrick White, the Celtics’ other elite defensive guard could be the right answer.

With only one tradable first round pick and their swaps devalued due to Luka trade, the Los Angeles Lakers should consider making Austin Reaves their primary trading chip for a center instead of their first round pick.

Despite struggling with a big toe injury in the playoffs, Reaves is probably the Lakers’ most valuable trading chip coming off a break-out regular season where he averaged 20.2/4.5/5.8 while shooting 46.0/37.7/87.7%. Reaves’ value is probably at an all-time high right now as his impactful performance and team friendly contract makes him an invaluable building block every GM covets to free up cap space for other roster needs.

While the Lakers don’t want to trade Austin, Pelinka understands the Lakers cannot win a championship with a Doncic and Reaves backcourt and trading Austin is easily the best path to acquiring a starting center.
Putting together a package for a quality starting center that includes Austin Reaves instead of their first round draft pick is a difference maker as it still leaves L.A. with the ability to make a second move for a POA defender.

Adding Luka greatly devalued the Lakers 5 first round pick swaps, making it unlikely that they would end up with a lottery pick in any future draft and limiting them to just one tradable first round pick for their draft capital.
By including Austin Reaves in a package for a starting center, the Lakers not only get a starting center and backup power forward but also open up the starting shooting guard spot next to Luka for an elite POA defender.

So let’s take a closer look at two Austin Reaves no-pick trades that would bring the Los Angeles Lakers a starting center and backup power forward but still allow them to retain their only tradable first round draft pick.

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1. DANIEL GAFFORD & PJ WASHINGTON TRADE

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In the perfect no-picks follow up to the Luka and AD trade, the Lakers send guard Austin Reaves and guard Gabe Vincent to the Mavericks in a straight exchange for center Daniel Gafford and forward PJ Washington.

With Kyrie Irving possibly out for part or all of next season, the Mavs are going to be desperate to add help in the backcourt and will be overloaded with quality centers and power forwards assuming they draft Cooper Flag.
Pelinka and Harrison are still on good terms and a second trade between the two is possible. The Lakers need a center like Gafford who fits with Luka and the Mavs could use a talented young guard like Austin Reaves.

From the Lakers’ standpoint, the trade gives them a quality starting center in Gafford, who has experience playing with Luka, and a quality power forward in Washington, who gives the front court more size and shooting.
The 26-year old Gafford and 26-year old Washington will both be in the last year of their contracts next season and will be looking for extensions and pay increases, which is why they’re the logical trade pieces for the Lakers.

From the Mavs’ standpoint, they get a future all-star point guard in Austin Reaves and solid 3&D combo guard in Gabe Vincent to help weather Kyrie’s injury and rebalance their roster between their front and back courts.
The Mavs also add two high percentage 3-point shooters in Reaves and Vincent that they will desperately need to provide spacing for Davis, Lively, and Flagg until Kyrie finally returns from the torn ACL injury he suffered.

The basketball gods obviously want to help Rob Pelinka and the Lakers and Nico Harrison and the Mavs be successful. It would not be a surprise to see L.A. and Dallas make a second mega trade involving Gafford and Reaves.

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2. ROBERT WILLIAMS & DENI AVDIJA TRADE

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Looking to upsize and balance their roster, the Lakers send guard Austin Reaves and forward Rui Hachimura to the Trailblazers in a straight exchange for center Robert Williams III and forward Deni Avdija.

With a talented young roster, the Trailblazers are looking for a proven point guard like Austin Reaves to mentor Scoot Henderson and for proven vets like Rui Hachimura to help transform Portland into a legit winning team.
The Blazers will have another lottery pick to add to their roster and rotation from this year’s draft, have extended the contract of head coach Chauncey Billups, and will be looking for strong player growth and development.

From the Lakers’ standpoint, they add an uber talented but often injured center in 27-year old Robert Williams III, who can anchor a defense, and a rising young diverse two-way small forward in 24-year old Deni Avdija.
Williams is obviously an injury risk since he was only able to play in 20 games for the Blazers this past season and only 41 the two years before. The risk is balanced by the not giving up a pick and getting Avdija in the trade.

From the Trailblazers’ point of view, they get a future all-star combo guard in Austin Reaves who can be the glue guy on a championship team and an elite playoff-proven 3-point shooting power forward in Rui Hachimura.
The Trailblazers also move on from the Robert Williams experiment and add a pair of proven winning players in Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura whom they can trust to be their for every game to their improving rotation.

A straight up trade by the Los Angeles Lakers of guard Austin Reaves and forward Rui Hachimura to the Portland Trailblazers for center Robert Williams III and forward Deni Avdija would be win-win for both teams.

Watching how exciting and entertaining these NBA playoffs have been without LeBron James and the Lakers has me worried that we may finally see LeBron James make the decision that next season would be his last.

I hope I’m wrong but learning LeBron’s injury would have sidelined him for the rest of the playoffs had the Lakers been able to comeback against the Minnesota Timberwolves might have been Father Time’s coup de gras. As both LeBron and Steph have found out, the NBA is undergoing a major changing of the guard. Playoff interest may have waned without LeBron and the Lakers but the games and series have been simply sensational.

Don’t think for a minute that LeBron doesn’t see what’s happening and understand how it impacts his legacy He’s going to meet with his family and see what they want before he makes any decisions about next season.
I would not at all be surprised if LeBron decides that next season will be his last. Knowing his injury would have prevented him from playing even if the Lakers won is the kind of body blow that could convince James it was time.

The big question is what should the Lakers do this summer if next season is indeed going to be LeBron James last season in the NBA? Do the Lakers go all-in to try and win a final championship in LeBron’ James’ final season?
The Lakers know they need starting and backup centers and an elite point-of-attack defensive guard to pair with Luka Doncic. This is now Doncic’s team but does Rob Pelinka make moves to give LeBron a final shot?

Let’s look at what the Lakers’ realistic options and risks are should they want to go all-in and optimize their chances of winning the championship next season should LeBron James decide it will be his last in the NBA.

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REPLACING LEBRON JAMES SUDDENLY BECOMES URGENT

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Frankly, finding a second superstar to pair with Luka Doncic in the event LeBron James announces next season will be his last in the NBA should be a higher priority for the Lakers than winning a championship next season.

Realistically, the Lakers already have LeBron James’ perfect replacement in Luka Doncic. Should next season be LeBron’s last, however, the Lakers will need to find another superstar to replace James as Doncic’s co-superstar.
The Lakers would be smart to combine their need for a championship caliber starting center and their desire to find a second superstar to pair with Luka Doncic into an active pursuit of an Anthony Davis replacement.

By focusing on pursuing a superstar center to pair with Luka Doncic the Lakers can achieve two major goals with one single move. They can get a championship caliber starting center and a second superstar for Luka.
Remembering that this is now Luka Doncic’s team, Pelinka is likely going to be looking for young centers rather veteran centers with the goal of finding an elite young center who’s timeline is a perfect match for Luka Doncic.

Top candidates for the Lakers to pursue as their potential starting center of the future in my opinion include the Grizzlies Jaren Jackson Jr., the Pacers Myles Turner, the Celtics’ Kristaps Porzingis, and the Jazz’ Walker Kessler.
While none of these centers are by definition legitimate superstars, they’re each difference makers in their roles and each have the critical skillsets both offensively and defensively that are essential to modern NBA centers.

Should LeBron James decide next season is going to be his last in the NBA, the Lakers have some big decisions to make, including how do they acquire a second superstar to pair with Luka Doncic and whom do they pursue?

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THE LAKERS’ PERFECT ‘ANTHONY DAVIS’ REPLACEMENT

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The Lakers’ perfect ‘Anthony Davis’ replacement should be the Grizzlies’ 25-year old power forward/center Jaren Jackson Jr., an elite two-way player who can protect the rim and stretch the floor with his 3-point shooting.

The concept of the Lakers replacing 40-year old LeBron James with 26-year old Luka Doncic and 32-year old Anthony Davis with 25-year old Jaren Jackson Jr. is about as perfect a turn-back-the-clock strategy as possible.
Replacing the elder James and Davis, who are a combined 72-years old together, with the younger Doncic and Jackson, who are only a combined 51-years old, would represent the Lakers becoming 21 years younger.

The similarities between James and Doncic as generational superstar scorers and playmakers and Davis and Jackson as generational modern superstar bigs who can protect the rim and stretch the floor are eerie.
Strategically, the Lakers replaced LeBron James with a clone who’s 14-years younger. If they can repeat that by replacing Anthony Davis with a clone who’s 7-years younger, they will have created a superstar time machine.

Meanwhile, the Grizzlies are a mess. The season ended in an embarrassing first round sweep. Superstar Ja Morant is still a problem. The Grizzlies fired their coach and replaced him with one who wants Ja to take fewer shots.
Serious questions have arisen whether Morant, Dane, and Jackson were the right trio for Memphis to invest in. Trading one or two of their big three could be a reality as the Grizzlies look for a new direction for the future.

Step in Rob Pelinka and the Lakers who make a mega offer to the Grizzlies for Jaren Jackson Jr. that includes 3 elite young talents and the equivalent of 3 post-LeBron first round picks. That’s an offer Memphis cannot refuse.

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THE JAREN JACKSON TRADE MEMPHIS CANNOT REFUSE

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The Lakers offer the Grizzlies a package they cannot turn down of Rui Hachimura, Austin Reaves, Dalton Knecht, 1 unprotected first round pick, and 2 unprotected first round swaps for Jaren Jackson, Jr. and Jay Huff.

Strategically, the Lakers need to trade for a player who can both fill their immediate need for a starting center and also give them a former DPOY who could elevate their defense to legitimate championship caliber.
The Lakers’ generous offer of 3 elite young players and the equivalent of 3 post-LeBron James first round draft picks for centers Jaren Jackson Jr. and Jay Huff should be too valuable for the Memphis Grizzlies to turn down.

It’s eerie how Luka Doncic’s and LeBron James’ overall games, scoring, and playmaking skillsets are similar just as Jaren Jackson Jr’s and Anthony Davis’ abilities to protect the rim and space the floor are comparable.
Luka/JJJJ would represent a pairing the Lakers know worked to win a championship in 2020 and could have resulting in additional titles had the Lakers decided to keep that core together rather than breaking it up.

There’s a strong argument to be made that Jaren Jackson Jr. is the perfect center whom the Lakers should target this summer regardless of whether next season is going to be LeBron James’ last as an NBA player or not.
Frankly, Triple J is the perfect two-way modern center the Lakers need to win a championship and the ideal defense-first frontcourt superstar they need to pair with an offense-first backcourt superstar like Luka Doncic.

Bottom line, the Los Angeles Lakers should make the Memphis Grizzlies an offer for Jaren Jackson Jr. they cannot refuse. Jaren Jackson Jr. is the perfect candidate to pair with Luka Doncic in the next great Lakers dynasty.