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Austin Reaves broke out in a big way this season. The undrafted guard averaged 20.2 points per game, and he was even more productive when he didn't have to share the floor with LeBron James and/or Luka Doncic. The latter of those two stars was, of course, traded for in one of the most surprising NBA deals ever. While Reaves showed some star potential, his fit alongside Doncic was questionable, regardless of how much Los Angeles fleeced the Dallas Mavericks in that move.
Both Doncic and Reaves are ball-dominant guards with defensive limitations. This offseason, the Lakers desperately need to pursue a center, and they might have to trade Reaves away to get one. The Utah Jazz are a team that the Lakers should consider doing business with.
Jazz trade proposal for Austin Reaves
Jazz receive: Austin Reaves, Gabe Vincent, 2031 first-round pick
Lakers receive: Walker Kessler, Jordan Clarkson, Keyonte George, two second-round picks
The Lakers' need for a center is well documented. In the playoffs, JJ Redick was forced to play Jaxson Hayes and forwards such as Rui Hachimura, Jarred Vanderbilt, and James at the pivot spot. While Walker Kessler improved and started to establish himself as a part of the Jazz's core in his third season, he has often been brought up in trade rumors in the past.
If the Jazz were willing to trade him, he'd be the exact type of big man who would thrive on a James/Doncic-led team. Kessler doesn't have an advanced offensive game, but he can crash the glass and finish plays inside. He is also an elite rim protector on the defensive end. James and Doncic demand so much attention and are so elite when it comes to playmaking that they need a center who they can pass the ball to down low off of their drives.
This deal lands the Lakers a lot more than just a center, though. The team also nets Jordan Clarkson and Keyonte George in this deal. Clarkson is a perennial Sixth Man of the Year candidate. He is a spark plug scorer who can get hot off the bench. George has shown promise in his first two seasons, but the Utah backcourt is getting crowded after the emergence of Isaiah Collier and with Collin Sexton still on the roster.
Reaves is one of the best third options in the NBA, and he flashed star potential in his fourth season, so trading him wouldn't be easy for the Lakers. The team adds both their needed center and even more depth in this deal, though, so they'd have to consider taking it as they try and pursue one more championship before James retires.
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.
