As trade speculation swirls around the Los Angeles Lakers, emerging star Austin Reaves has emerged as a key asset that could attract significant interest from other teams. Identifying his ideal landing spot could reshape the Lakers’ roster and impact their quest for a championship.
As the 2024-25 NBA season unfolds, the Lakers find themselves in a familiar position: always looking to improve. Currently boasting a 4-2 record, the team is actively exploring trade options to bolster their roster. After a quiet trade season last year, the Lakers are expected to make moves, and it appears that the starting shooting guard may be a central figure in any potential deal.
Reaves, who has emerged as a fan favorite and a key contributor, is reportedly being considered for trade discussions. Despite his popularity and strong performance—averaging 17.3 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game—his inclusion in a trade could be necessary for the Lakers to acquire significant assets. The team’s front office, led by Rob Pelinka, is aware that impactful trades often require letting go of valuable players.
The buzz around the young guard has intensified over the past year, highlighting his status as a desirable asset. His contract is team-friendly, making him an appealing option for teams looking to enhance their lineup without incurring hefty salary costs. However, the Lakers may face a dilemma: while Reaves is a promising young player, trading him might be the only pathway to secure a more significant return that could elevate their championship aspirations.
NBA Analysis Names Denver Nuggets as Best Landing Spot for Los Angeles Lakers’ Austin Reaves
In the event Los Angeles trades Reaves away, the Denver Nuggets are seen as the best spot for him to land. This is explained more in Zach Buckley’s analysis for Bleacher Report.
The Nuggets are struggling to provide proper support to three-time MVP Nikola Jokić. Turns out, letting key contributors like Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Bruce Brown Jr. leave for nothing in free agency maybe wasn’t a great idea. Denver needs better scoring, shooting and creation around Jokić, and Reaves could help in all areas (while getting great mileage out of his ball-cuts alongside a table-setter like Jokić).
Fleshing out a two-team trade for Reaves that works for Denver and L.A. isn’t easy, but bringing in a third team might do the trick. Perhaps a team like the Hawks could grease the gears for an exchange that puts Trae Young in L.A., Reaves in Denver and draft assets attached to Michael Porter Jr. in Atlanta.
Reaves has emerged as a significant trade candidate for the Lakers as the 2024-25 season progresses. Despite his status as a fan favorite and a key contributor, discussions suggest that trading him could help the Lakers secure crucial upgrades.
The Nuggets are seen as a potential landing spot for the young guard, as they seek to enhance their support for MVP Nikola Jokic. Ultimately, the Lakers face a pivotal decision: whether to keep their star and maintain their current core or trade him for a chance to strengthen their championship aspirations.
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