Why the Lakers didn't trade Reaves?

[knicksfan974]

It's absolutely mind boggling that Nico couldn't get Reeves in the Luka deal...absolutely nuts.

The trade was horrific but at least with Reeves you knew you were getting a very good piece for the future.

You knew something was not right with that trade especially when even Reaves was not included.

[The Laker Kid]

Soon Lemondaddy won't be able to afford him

[doogie_hauser]

I applaud Austin for having such a fantastic start to the season, but in some ways its fools gold, no way does he maintain this production once Lebron and Luka return.

What we are seeing now his is ultimate ceiling, but one that only works without being forced to defer to a more higher/iso ball minded ball player.

Honestly the best thing the Lakers could do is trade AR now (when his value ia highest) to a team like The Hornets or Wizards for a package of young players and future picks, to help give them some foundation to build around Luka, not Lebron.

But Pelinka won't, cause he is a short sighted GM that doesn't have kind of insight into lateral thinking.

[SlimShady83]

I applaud Austin for having such a fantastic start to the season, but in some ways its fools gold, no way does he maintain this production once Lebron and Luka return.

I love the fact you're more fixated on the Lakers then your own team

Also don't worry my man, we're working on a Giannis trade or Kessler/Lauri

[juanc]

I applaud Austin for having such a fantastic start to the season, but in some ways its fools gold, no way does he maintain this production once Lebron and Luka return.

What we are seeing now his is ultimate ceiling, but one that only works without being forced to defer to a more higher/iso ball minded ball player.

Honestly the best thing the Lakers could do is trade AR now (when his value ia highest) to a team like The Hornets or Wizards for a package of young players and future picks, to help give them some foundation to build around Luka, not Lebron.

But Pelinka won't, cause he is a short sighted GM that doesn't have kind of insight into lateral thinking.

I get what you are saying, but Jalen Brunson has shown the same thing when he was in Dallas, and look at him now...

But I would understand if they trade Reaves for a less talented player who is a better fit(someone in this thread mentioned a Reaves for Scottie Barnes swap)

[PostGameDaVinci]

If Pelinka is smart, he'll trade Reaves by the deadline. You're not winning anything if your 3 best players are average at best defensively.

They need to package him for an elite defender that can also fill the gaps offensively. Preferably ones that can defend small guards and wings. I'd try to get guys like Derrick White or Jalen Suggs.

[PostGameDaVinci]

I applaud Austin for having such a fantastic start to the season, but in some ways its fools gold, no way does he maintain this production once Lebron and Luka return.

What we are seeing now his is ultimate ceiling, but one that only works without being forced to defer to a more higher/iso ball minded ball player.

Honestly the best thing the Lakers could do is trade AR now (when his value ia highest) to a team like The Hornets or Wizards for a package of young players and future picks, to help give them some foundation to build around Luka, not Lebron.

But Pelinka won't, cause he is a short sighted GM that doesn't have kind of insight into lateral thinking.

I get what you are saying, but Jalen Brunson has shown the same thing when he was in Dallas, and look at him now...

But I would understand if they trade Reaves for a less talented player who is a better fit(someone in this thread mentioned a Reaves for Scottie Barnes swap)

I actually think Barnes would be a worse fit than Reaves. With Barnes, their best 3 players are all best defensively at the 4. If Rui doesn't get traded too, you're looking at 4 of your 5 best players all at the same position.

[sisibilio]

They were waiting until they could hold Luka and Lebron out for a few games, pad Reaves' stats and trade him off.

There is always one team that falls for fool's gold.

Giannis demand a trade yet?

Reaves + filler for Ryan Rollins and Kyle Kuzma. Who says no?

[badpotato]

I just have this feeling about Reaves that he will end up getting extended on a hefty, well-deserved sum and no one in the universe will be happy about it.
He just screams "He's good, but I'd rather have [insert endless stream of players here] instead" energy to me.
Happy to be proven wrong - I want Luka to be reasonably successful, even on the Lakers.

[G35]

This is why it’s so stupid when people say “”well how can Jalen Williams possibly be a top 10 player when he’s a #2? His numbers would probably collapse if he had the defensive attention of being the #1 guy.”

In reality, that’s not how it works. Give guys the opportunity to be the top guy running the offense and you’d be surprised how many can thrive. What’s really hard is trying to find a way to fit into a gameplan for someone else in bits and pieces.

"Ability without opportunity is nothing"

I have been saying that about players next to Lebron. If you do not get an opportunity to show what you can do, then the same narrative of "Player X does not have enough help!"

That is what made Jordan and the Bulls so good is they could take players and put them in their system and make the most of their abilities. Teams today want that one "heliocentric" player that does everything and then tell the rest of the team they are role players......

[JHFVF07]

If Lebron were 3 years younger, I would be OK with trade Reaves, but next year we will need him to be our secondary ballhandler and play while Luka rests.

After re-sign Reaves we will need to find a better defensive/roll man center and fill the roster with 3-D guys. Maybe by trade deadline we can find sellers and use our expirings/future pick to add some defense to this roster.

[Michael Lucky]

If Pelinka is smart, he'll trade Reaves by the deadline. You're not winning anything if your 3 best players are average at best defensively.

They need to package him for an elite defender that can also fill the gaps offensively. Preferably ones that can defend small guards and wings. I'd try to get guys like Derrick White or Jalen Suggs.

Trading them for a wing defender is beyond dumb when the obvious need is at the front court.

[Liam_Gallagher]

Reaves + filler for Ryan Rollins and Kyle Kuzma. Who says no?

The team getting Ryan Rollins and Kyle Kuzma for Austin Reaves.

[bisme37]

Kinda hoping the OP makes a thread about trading Payton Pritchard so he'll go off for 200 points tonight.

[PostGameDaVinci]

If Pelinka is smart, he'll trade Reaves by the deadline. You're not winning anything if your 3 best players are average at best defensively.

They need to package him for an elite defender that can also fill the gaps offensively. Preferably ones that can defend small guards and wings. I'd try to get guys like Derrick White or Jalen Suggs.

Trading them for a wing defender is beyond dumb when the obvious need is at the front court.

Calm down sweetheart. You can just say you disagree.

The biggest offensive threats out west are Jokic and a bunch of perimeter players. There's no one available that can slow down Jokic and containing the ball is at an absolutely premium right now.

The best offenses generate paint touches & put defense in rotation. The best defenses have multiple guys who can contain the ball & prevent easy paint touches. The lakers have none who are consistent on offense.

Avoid the passive-aggressive insults, please. Disagree with the post but don't get personal with the poster. -b

[The High Cyde]

I think they need him, doubt he gets traded.

[Black Jack]

Why trade a guy when he starts playing good?

Also I think Luka's play style of just dominating the ball every possession isn't really winning hoops. He would benefit from a secondary scorer and ball handler and taking some possession off ball.

It's like Curry, he doesn't dominate the ball every possession, and that has worked better than Harden style ball dominance deep in the playoffs.

[OriginalRed]

He wants to be a Laker. It wouldn't surprise me that they agree on a good deal for both sides. $30 million a year.

Not a chance

He turned down 25 million a year this off season coming off of a terrible playoffs. You think after this insane start he's going to settle for 5 million more a year? Someone is throwing a max at him and if the Lakers don't, he's gone.

If he wants a max, you trade him at the deadline. You can't create a balanced championship roster around a backcourt that is set with two max contracts.

Maybe he turned down the 25 million a year because next offseason he can get a longer and more guaranteed money deal?

You can't trade Reaves without giving up more pieces on your roster because he makes too little money. I think the Lakers are going to play out this season and use the results to determine how to move going forward. If they go far or even win a chip, it's a no brainer to sign Reaves to a Max and then work from there with Lebron and etc. If they go out in Round 1 or 2 early, then I believe they'll wish Reaves the best if he's seeking a max.