Best rookie scale contract player for Reaves?

Post #1 » by **zimpy27** » Sat Jul 12, 2025 6:40 am

What is the best player on a rookie scale contract that Lakers could get for Austin Reaves?

Needs to be rookie scale for this season and next at the very least (so drafted no later than 2023). The reasoning for this is because Lakers are focused on capspace in 2027. Reaves will likely be on close 15-20% cap in that offseason.

Post #2 » by **zimpy27** » Sat Jul 12, 2025 8:26 am

Sheppard?
Scoot?
Ausar?
Coulibaly?
Clingan?
Cason?
Lively?

Post #3 » by **gswhoops** » Sat Jul 12, 2025 9:37 am

Portland seems to be making a push so they’re probably a good place to start. Dallas is also not a bad idea

Most of these teams are too far away from contending for it to make sense (Washington) or are dealing with their own cap/tax/apron issues and need cost-controlled talent (Houston, OKC)

babyjax13 · Post #4 » by **babyjax13** » Sat Jul 12, 2025 10:01 am

Jarace Walker, Grady Dick, or Zach Edey? But obviously would need more incentive to balance the value bc Reaves is worth more. Tbh I am not sure there is a trade that makes sense that meets these parameters? I hate his fit on Portland, he doesn't make sense for the true bottom feeders, Toronto probably can't afford to pay him, etc. etc.

SlimShady83 · Post #5 » by **SlimShady83** » Sat Jul 12, 2025 10:04 am

Can we just trade Reaves for Max Christie? Make it happen Rob.

Post #6 » by **zimpy27** » Sat Jul 12, 2025 10:25 am

babyjax13 wrote:Jarace Walker, Grady Dick, or Zach Edey? But obviously would need more incentive to balance the value bc Reaves is worth more. Tbh I am not sure there is a trade that makes sense that meets these parameters? I hate his fit on Portland, he doesn't make sense for the true bottom feeders, Toronto probably can't afford to pay him, etc. etc.

The reasoning for the parameters is that it is a young player fitting the Luka timeline that doesn't have a larger contract for the 2027 offseason.

I don't think Blazers a re a true bottom feeder. I thought his fit was decent.

Reaves, Sharpe, Deni, Camara, Yang

Godaddycurse · Post #7 » by **Godaddycurse** » Sat Jul 12, 2025 12:37 pm

hard time seeing someone giving up a promising rookie scale player for a probable rental unless they overpay to retain him.

If embiid is fully healthy, maybe mccain? Giant if and more pieces will be needed though

Myth · Post #8 » by **Myth** » Sat Jul 12, 2025 1:17 pm

zimpy27 wrote:Scoot?

Clingan?

Pass. I’d straight up prefer Clingan, and I think Scoot needs more time before giving up on him. If Reaves were a point guard this would probably be different. I like Reaves, but it doesn’t make sense to bring in a big minutes guy at his position at the sacrifice of the other positions.

ACMFFL · Post #9 » by **ACMFFL** » Sat Jul 12, 2025 1:41 pm

zimpy27 wrote:Lively?

It makes no sense for the Mavs tbh: value isn't good and in that scenario they can't afford to re-sign Reaves, they'd need Lively cheap contract on the books even more.

Post #10 » by **oldncreaky** » Sat Jul 12, 2025 2:24 pm

Definitely not Ausar. I know fans who have not watched a lot of Ausar put him a tier below his twin, but I don't think the short-term affect of Ausar's health had on his development means anything in terms of his eventual ceiling, and I think both twins are on track to be much more impactful players than Reaves

Detroit is a bad landing spot for Reaves anyway. Reaves would be underutilised as a backup PG, a sub-par fit as Cade's partner at SG, and the last thing I'd want to do is to give up assets for a 1 year rental

JRoy · Post #11 » by **JRoy** » Sat Jul 12, 2025 2:39 pm

zimpy27 wrote:What is the best player on a rookie scale contract that Lakers could get for Austin Reaves?

Needs to be rookie scale for this season and next at the very least (so drafted no later than 2023). The reasoning for this is because Lakers are focused on capspace in 2027. Reaves will likely be on close 15-20% cap in that offseason.

Hard pass for POR.

Some other team can overpay him.

facothomas22 · Post #12 » by **facothomas22** » Sat Jul 12, 2025 3:38 pm

Godaddycurse wrote:hard time seeing someone giving up a promising rookie scale player for a probable rental unless they overpay to retain him.

If embiid is fully healthy, maybe mccain? Giant if and more pieces will be needed though

The 76ers aboustely will not trade Jared McCain for Austin Reaves under any circumstances. The 76ers already have 2 really bad contracts on the roster to deal with. The 76ers are not trading a high quality young player with all star upside to add another player that's going to be on a horrible contract.

mg · Post #13 » by mg » Sat Jul 12, 2025 4:06 pm

SlimShady83 wrote:Can we just trade Reaves for Max Christie? Make it happen Rob.

That would fill needs for both teams although I'm sure many Laker fans would think AR is worth more. I think the contract situation and his lack of defense next to Luka should be a consideration in his trade value though.

Unfortunately it could be a while before Dallas and LA make another deal after all the backlash on the last one.

LarsV8 · Post #14 » by **LarsV8** » Sat Jul 12, 2025 4:13 pm

Would not move Reed for him.

We will keep most of our assets for a star trade.

Houston might offer something like
DFS plus Adams, assuming Reeeves is interested in sticking around on a reasonable contract. Adsms us still quite impactful, and DFS is solid.

With the new CBA, there is a paradigm shift in value assessments. Unknown contracts and especially SGs are in low demand. Probably suppresses the offers for Reeves lower than Lakers fans would hope.

nykballa2k4 · Post #15 » by **nykballa2k4** » Sat Jul 12, 2025 4:30 pm

zimpy27 wrote:What is the best player on a rookie scale contract that Lakers could get for Austin Reaves?

Needs to be rookie scale for this season and next at the very least (so drafted no later than 2023). The reasoning for this is because Lakers are focused on capspace in 2027. Reaves will likely be on close 15-20% cap in that offseason.

IMO Reaves is best suited in a trade for a role player on a decent contract attached to a pick.

Wiz are not good enough to do this, but something like Kispert + FRP would be good value. Then Lakers can use that pick to add to someone else to get a fair 3-D wing.

OGSactownballer · Post #16 » by **OGSactownballer** » Sat Jul 12, 2025 6:36 pm

zimpy27 wrote:What is the best player on a rookie scale contract that Lakers could get for Austin Reaves?

Needs to be rookie scale for this season and next at the very least (so drafted no later than 2023). The reasoning for this is because Lakers are focused on capspace in 2027. Reaves will likely be on close 15-20% cap in that offseason.

Some buyers remorse here?

What happened to “Reaves is untouchable”?

That changed quick!

babyjax13 · Post #17 » by **babyjax13** » Sat Jul 12, 2025 6:48 pm

zimpy27 wrote:
babyjax13 wrote:Jarace Walker, Grady Dick, or Zach Edey? But obviously would need more incentive to balance the value bc Reaves is worth more. Tbh I am not sure there is a trade that makes sense that meets these parameters? I hate his fit on Portland, he doesn't make sense for the true bottom feeders, Toronto probably can't afford to pay him, etc. etc.

The reasoning for the parameters is that it is a young player fitting the Luka timeline that doesn't have a larger contract for the 2027 offseason.

I don't think Blazers a re a true bottom feeder. I thought his fit was decent.

Reaves, Sharpe, Deni, Camara, Yang

Yah, I think Scoot is going to be a better player, nothing doing there. The Clingan swap could make sense only if they know Yang is their long term solution at center and they also think Sharpe is not a long term starter. I think it is unlikely they arrive at both of those conclusions this season, though.

kobe_vs_jordan · Post #18 » by **kobe_vs_jordan** » Sat Jul 12, 2025 6:59 pm

SlimShady83 wrote:Can we just trade Reaves for Max Christie? Make it happen Rob.

lol no sir.

Vae Victus · Post #19 » by **Vae Victus** » Sat Jul 12, 2025 7:00 pm

OGSactownballer wrote:
zimpy27 wrote:What is the best player on a rookie scale contract that Lakers could get for Austin Reaves?

Needs to be rookie scale for this season and next at the very least (so drafted no later than 2023). The reasoning for this is because Lakers are focused on capspace in 2027. Reaves will likely be on close 15-20% cap in that offseason.

Some buyers remorse here?

What happened to “Reaves is untouchable”?

That changed quick!

It’s not buyers remorse. Reaves provided amazing value on his current contract, it’s more “maximize his value while he’s cheap” exploratory trade that someone like Danny Ainge messed up on in not trading Lauri when he was on his ultra cheap deal before his 30% max. The moment Reaves gets a 25-30m a year deal, he’s no longer a “steal”. Imagine if the cheap 4th year was a team instead of player option, Reaves value would be immense.

kobe_vs_jordan · Post #20 » by **kobe_vs_jordan** » Sat Jul 12, 2025 7:00 pm

OGSactownballer wrote:
zimpy27 wrote:What is the best player on a rookie scale contract that Lakers could get for Austin Reaves?

Needs to be rookie scale for this season and next at the very least (so drafted no later than 2023). The reasoning for this is because Lakers are focused on capspace in 2027. Reaves will likely be on close 15-20% cap in that offseason.

Some buyers remorse here?

What happened to “Reaves is untouchable”?

That changed quick!

Was reaves untouchable or only being traded for a great fit?

Think most laker fans would trade him but not give him away.