Trail Blazers trade proposal for Austin Reaves lands Lakers a center

The Los Angeles Lakers pulled off one of the biggest fleeces of all time when they traded for Luka Doncic. While that deal involving Anthony Davis was a must-do for the Lakers, it actually left the team with a somewhat questionable fit on the roster. Austin Reaves broke out in a big way this season, but he has a lot of similarities to Doncic.

The Lakers need more defense and center depth, and Doncic and LeBron James would still be able to carry the load for ball-handling duties and scoring production even without Reaves on the roster.

Because of that, some have suggested trading Reaves this upcoming offseason. The Lakers are unlikely to sell Reaves off unless they'd land a starting center. Luckily, the Portland Trail Blazers have a logjam at the center position. So what would a Reaves-to-Portland deal look like?

Trail Blazers trade proposal for Austin Reaves

Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15) and forward LeBron James (23) signal to teammates during the second half against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center. — Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports

Trail Blazers receive: Austin Reaves, Maxi Kleber, Gabe Vincent

Lakers receive: Deandre Ayton, two second-round draft picks

The Lakers are desperate for a center, and that could be enough incentive for them to trade Reaves. The team was rocking with Jaxson Hayes, a long-time bench player, and forwards such as Rui Hachimura, Jarred Vanderbilt, and James at the five spot in the postseason.

It clearly didn't work, as JJ Redick's squad lost in the first round to a lower-seeded Minnesota Timberwolves team.

Not only does the team need a center because they had so little size for standard big-man roles like rebounding and rim protection, but Doncic and James' skill sets are enhanced by having a solid big man in the starting lineup.

Both players thrive when throwing lobs and dump-offs to centers, and the team needs that play-finishing role on the roster much more than they need a third isolation scoring threat like Reaves.

Additionally, both Reaves and Doncic are subpar defensive players. Playing both at the same time is hard enough, and the team could use a paint presence who can deter shots when opposing teams penetrate to the rim. Deandre Ayton has become somewhat underappreciated since joining the Trail Blazers, and the Lakers should consider trading for him.

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The Houston Rockets invested heavily into Fred VanVleet during the 2023 offseason. Houston gave the point guard a three-year, $128 million deal in a move that was meant to turn the Rockets from a rebuilding team into a championship contending one. The signing did just that, as the Rockets finished the 2024-25 regular season as the two-seed in a stacked Western Conference. VanVleet was the veteran presence and 3-point shooter that the team desperately needed, and he still might have a role with the Rockets going forward. Houston has a team option on his contract for next year, and they very well may pick it up. The Wichita State product reportedly wants to stay in Houston, but the point guard would be set to make over $44 million next season under his current contract. The Rockets and their guard recently pushed back the deadline on Houston's decision with VanVleet, and although reports suggest that they are interested in writing up a new, long-term deal, it isn't necessarily a guarantee that VanVleet will be playing for Houston next year. The Rockets blew him away with an offer he couldn't refuse back in 2023, and another team could so the same when/if he hits the open market this offseason. If VanVleet does become an unrestricted free agent, which teams outside of Houston would make the most sense for him to sign with? 1. Orlando Magic Jalen Suggs and Franz Wagner recently signed big deals with the Orlando Magic, and Paolo Banchero will be getting a mega contract extension here soon. Because of that, the Magic no longer have money to blow like they have had in recent years. That will make a deal for another big ticket free agent hard to pull off, especially considering the team signed Kentavious Caldwell-Pope last year. If Orlando can make the money work, though, then Fred VanVleet would be a great fit with the Magic. The Magic finished dead last in 3-point shooting this season, and VanVleet has made at least 2.5 deep balls per game in every season since 2018-19. VanVleet can hit shots form behind the arc off of the bounce or in catch-and-shoot situations. The Rockets were heavily reliant on his shooting expertise, so the guard would have plenty of familiarity getting up deep shots with high volume if he signed with the Magic. While undersized, VanVleet is a pesky defender, so he'd fit right in with a Magic team that has one of the best defensive units in the league. VanVleet could play alongside Suggs and give opposing teams fits. Ultimately, though, the Magic just need more shooting to get to the next level, and VanVleet is arguably the best shooter who could be available on the open market this offseason. 2. Brooklyn Nets A more realistic option for a VanVleet destination would be the Brooklyn Nets. The Nets are set up to have the most cap space this offseason, and they have a major need at point guard. With D'Angelo Russell and De'Anthony Melton hitting free agency this offseason, the Nets don't have a true point guard under contract for next season. Brooklyn needs to spend big this offseason, and they'd be smart to offer VanVleet a contract big enough that he'd have no choice but to leave Houston. VanVleet averaged 14.1 points per game last season, which was his lowest mark since 2018-19. He is trending the wrong way, but he still has enough left in the tank to give the Nets a few good seasons. 3. Portland Trail Blazers In the same way that the Rockets were looking to take the next step in 2023, the Portland Trail Blazers could use VanVleet's presence to get over the hump. The Trail Blazers have plenty of big man depth, as centers Deandre Ayton, Donovan Clingan, Robert Williams, and Duop Death are all under contract next season. Portland also has a lot of wing depth. Deni Advija started to look like a star late this past season, Toumani Camara is an elite defender, Shaedon Sharpe is a freakish athlete, and Jerami Grant is a proven scorer. The team is thinner in the backcourt, though. Anfernee Simons is a solid scorer, but Scoot Henderson has looked like a fringe draft bust since being drafted third overall. Portland shouldn't give up on Henderson completely, but there wouldn't be any harm in signing another guard. Like the Magic, the Blazers were one of the worst 3-point shooting teams in the NBA. VanVleet would improve that weakness, and in a stacked Western Conference, Portland needs all of the help they can get if they are to compete for a playoff spot.

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The former first overall pick, who was coincidentally taken two selections before Doncic, will likely never live up to his fullest potential. Scouts saw a perennial All-Star in him when he was coming out of Arizona. His inability to become a megastar doesn't negate the fact that he is a very good starting center, though.

Ayton is a career 16.4-point-per-game scorer. He is still just 26 years old, too. While his numbers have dropped in recent years, it is possible that he hasn't yet hit his prime. Ayton can score inside, and he has averaged double-digit rebounding numbers each season of his career.

He is arguably the best center available for the Lakers who could legitimately be moved this offseason. While trading Reaves fresh off of a breakout season is far from ideal, it might be a necessity in order to ensure a more cohesive roster in Los Angeles.

Would the Trail Blazers trade Deandre Ayton for Austin Reaves?

While the Lakers might be hesitant about this trade package, the Trail Blazers would likely jump all over it. Firstly, Reaves showed legitimate All-Star potential in his fourth season. The Trail Blazers have tons of depth, but they lack the star talent needed to take the next step.

Reaves averaged 20.2 points per game this past season, and he was even better when he didn't have to share the floor with Doncic and/or James. When given an even bigger role, there is no telling how high Reaves could soar. He can shoot, pass, and finish at the rim, and he'd be a perfect complement to Portland's other rotation players.

Additionally, the Trail Blazers should be looking to move Ayton. The team has a logjam at center, as all of Ayton, Donovan Clingan, Robert Williams, and Duop Reath need minutes. The team is building around Clingan as their main post player, as he was taken in the lottery last year.

Williams doesn't have much trade value because of his injury history. That makes Ayton the most logical trade candidate, especially if the team wants to clear some more minutes for Clingan.

Reaves is likely the best player that they could get back for Ayton, and this move is one that could get the team into the playoff picture in a stacked Western Conference.