The Los Angeles Lakers are a good basketball team. LeBron James and Anthony Davis are terrific superstars that can instantaneously impact the game when they take over. A roster of solid role players help them remain competitive despite struggling with injuries and poor form for much of last season.
However, good is not enough for the Purple and Gold. They are a team used to winning NBA championships and deep playoff runs, so a first-round exit to the Denver Nuggets is far from acceptable to the Buss family and the rest of Laker Nation.
Since the Lakers had one of the worst offseasons over the summer, it’s clear that their best course of action to improve their roster is by making big trades. Some of their players are already being linked with moves, but the Lakers are yet to make any formal trades.
It may be tough for Laker Nation to see some of their favorites go, but some of their players are talented enough to get a superb star in the door and help the Lakers win Banner #18.
Austin Reaves is a great trade piece for the Los Angeles Lakers to get a third star into the roster
Fadeaway World’s Fran Leiva listed the best players on the Lakers roster they could use to get a third star into the door. At the top of the list is Reaves, who has proven himself as an effective playmaker at shooting guard.
Leiva highlighted how solid Reaves is as a two-way player for any NBA team, but his contract says a lot on how the Lakers organization look at his potential:
Reaves signed a four-year, $56 million deal with the Lakers in the summer of 2023. This contract shows just how much faith the team has in him and his potential. The deal is structured to be very team-friendly, with his salary increasing each year but staying manageable under the cap. This makes Reaves not only a valuable player on the court but also a smart piece in any trade talks.
Reaves averaged 15.9 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 5.5 assists across 82 games last season. He will likely be in any trade packages the Lakers will make for a third star to line alongside LeBron and Anthony Davis.
Laker Nation will probably miss Reaves if he does become a part of a trade, but that’s the nature of the business. At the end of the day, a ring will justify letting go of a beloved part of the current Lakers roster.
For More Content
Message me at [email protected] for questions and opportunities. For more basketball content, click here!
