Should the Lakers Trade Austin Reaves for Zach Lavine?

After the Los Angeles Lakers’ annihilating 44-point loss to the Philadelphia 76ers, they are on red alert. The historic franchise needs to address a hurtful reality – their roster is far from complete. The structural defects were on naked display in their battle against Joel Embiid and the Sixers. With their current set of players, the Purple and Gold can’t rise to the top of the chain. This recent realization crosses paths with a trade opportunity to add a third star – Zach Lavine.

The UCLA guard has long been hinted at wanting a trade away from the Chicago Bulls, a team he signed a five-year $21 million extension with last season. His preferred destination has come to be LA, and why not? He spent his collegiate years in the City of Angels. Moreover, the star guard shares the same agent as LeBron James and Anthony Davis.

The open dilemma is – Does LA need a third star? If it happens to be Lavine, it might cost them a fan favorite.

The tricky addition of Zach Lavine

Lavine is a gifted scorer who can be a reliable third or even second-option scorer in the absence of one of either James or Davis. The 9-year athletic guard has a potent perimeter offense but can also zoom past defenders to finish at the rim. His two dunk contest trophies are ample proof of his expertise in finishing at the rim. He is agile, possesses godly athleticism, and has a sweet jump shot from three.

He will address a major worry for the Lakers – their three-point shooting. Currently, the franchise ranks in the bottom tier, having the third-worst three-point percentage. Having Lavine on the floor will aggravate these numbers. This year, Young Hollywood isn’t shooting the three particularly well, only converting 33.6% of his makes. However, 38% is enough for the Lakers to consider taking on his mammoth $40 million contract.

But like any blockbuster trade, the move poses several problems for the Lakers. First is Lavine’s exorbitant contract. The Lakers will have to make a long-term commitment to the 28-year-old, who they will owe $43 million and $45 million over the next two seasons. Additionally, Lavine will come at the price of a deprived defense. This season, the Bulls are 7.8 points worse with him on the floor. His 6’5″ frame and innate speed are ingredients for an unrelenting perimeter defender. However, Lavine has yet to polish himself as a stopper.

But enough with how Lavine’s addition comes with its challenges. Let’s explore what the Lakers will have to forego to make a trade possible.

The Bulls want Austin Reaves

After the loss to the Sixers, talks around the Lakers’ interest in trading for Lavine grew larger. Shams Charania touched on the subject and named Austin Reaves as the centerpiece of not just a Lavine trade, but any move for a third star.

“I expect them to express interest in Zach LaVine, but he’s making almost $40 million. And so to total the salaries, to reach that amount in a trade, guys like D’Angelo Russell, Rui Hachimura, they are not both trade-eligible till mid-January. And so the Bulls — I’m sure — would covet Austin Reaves in any potential Zach LaVine trade as any team would. If you’re the Lakers and you’re out there trying to pursue a third star, whether that’s Zach LaVine, anyone else that becomes available, the player that teams will ask about is Austin Reaves 100%.”, claimed The Athletic Insider.

Hypothetically, the Lakers will lose three core players – Reaves, Hachimura and D’Lo. Russell has transitioned into the role of the primary ball handler. With James taking on a new off-ball role due to his age, Russell becomes an invaluable piece to the puzzle. Then there is Hachimura, who earned himself an extension after his blazing performance in last year’s postseason. As a bench player, Hachimura provides the Lakers an edge on both ends of the floor.

Averaging almost 12 points per game, the 230lb forward plays ferocious defense while also showcasing an improved offense. Without him, the Lakers concede nearly 4 more points, as opposed to being 2 points better with him on the floor per Basketball Reference.

The last and probably the most important name in bringing Lavine to LA is Austin Reaves. Over his brief career in Los Angeles, the hustling guard has become a fan sensation. Hillbilly Kobe, as they call him, is one of the better three-point shooters on the Lakers’ struggling perimeter offense. He also puts his heart out on defense despite his undersized complex. The 25-year-old is undoubtedly the sixth man for the LA, but he is also regarded as the go-to player to close games. Reaves has stapled himself as one of the closers, making big-time buckets when his number is called.

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Can the Lakers survive without the symphony of these three players?

Zach Lavine isn’t the right player for the crisis

As much as Lavine is boosted as a scorer, he is still a liability on defense. With each of the aforementioned three players, the UCLA product can’t compensate in the key areas. Russell is substantially better as a playmaker than Lavine. He is averaging 6 assists per contest while turning the ball over 2.8 times. In contrast, Lavine only dishes out 3.4 dimes on two turnovers. Even if he considers LeBron James to take back the onus, it will burden him with a heavier workload than he is already under.

Hachimura will be essential in the Lakers’ defensive rotation. He has the size, instincts, and tenacity to block lanes and provide crucial stops for the team. He is also shooting the ball remarkably well. Once Cam Reddish and Jared Vanderbilt do return, their trio will form the defensive prowess the Lakers currently lack.

As much as Reaves seems to be a contained version of Lavine, he is untradeable in my eyes. The Arkansas alumnus embodies the LA spirit. He plays with energy and has a fearless approach. Reaves is meant for the big stage, and his chemistry with Davis and James makes him one of the most important players in the ranks.

Only desperation should compel the Lakers to chase Zach Lavine. There is no doubt he can help impact the team instantly from an offensive standpoint. But in hindsight, his expensive contract, and defensive shortcomings might evoke further hurdles for the Lakers.

But they shouldn’t stop looking into the Bulls. In fact, there is one man whom the Lakers would love to welcome back that is Alex Caruso. I’m very sure Pelinka regrets not offering the Bald Eagle a better contract when the opportunity was there. But now he has a chance at redemption. The Bulls are blowing up and will probably accept any trade that comes their way.

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Caruso is only making $9 million this season. A Gabe Vincent and some draft capital might see the homecoming of another LA fan favorite.