Austin Reaves, Los Angeles Lakers
Photo by Harry How/Getty Images
Austin Reaves, Los Angeles Lakers
Rob Pelinka has spent this summer retooling the Los Angeles Lakers roster around Luka Doncic. The Lakers have added three new talents who all bring skills that will help accentuate the superstars’ on-court abilities.
Marcus Smart brings some much-needed perimeter defense. Deandre Ayton provides a lob threat, some post skill and rim protection. And, Jake LaRavia‘s versatility will give JJ Redick a host of lineup combinations to explore.
However, Bleacher Report’s Zach Buckley appears to believe Pelinka can go a step further. A recent trade proposal from Buckely sees the Lakers flip Austin Reaves to the Dallas Mavericks in return for some additional front-court help.
Buckley’s trade proposal looks like this:
Lakers Get:Dereck Lively II and Caleb Martin
Mavericks Get: Austin Reaves and a 2031 first-round pick
“One executive recently told ESPN’s Tim Bontemps that Reaves “will get $30 [million] plus” on his next contract,” Buckley wrote. “The Lakers could cross their fingers and give him that kind of coin, but they could also flip him and a future first for Lively, who has established chemistry with Luka Dončić and cornerstone potential on defense, and Martin, a reliable role-playing wing with a proven ability to perform on the postseason stage.”
Reaves has become a firm favorite in Lakerland. Therefore, it’s hard to see him being included in any deal that doesn’t bring a legitimate star to the Lakers in return. As such, his inclusion in this trade proposal may cause Pelinka to hang up the telephone immediately.
Lakers’ Pelinka and Jeanie Buss in Poland
This summer has been all about showing Doncic that he’s the future of the franchise. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that Pelinka and Jeanie Buss made the trans-Atlantic trip to Poland to support Doncic ahead of the FIBA EuroBasket tournament.
When speaking to the media via a post-practice news conference, Doncic shared his appreciation.
“Means a lot, it’s a long flight, like 11, 12 hours, means a lot for them to be here to support me. We had a great lunch today, it was great to see them,” Doncic said during a post-practice media availability.
Doncic will be one of the premier stars at this year’s EuroBasket. However, he will face some stern tests against European powerhouses Spain, Germany and France.
Lakers Want to Support Doncic
When speaking to the media in Poland, Pelinka wants to support Doncic, once again making it clear that he is now the face of the Lakers organization.
“We just wanted to make a statement to Luka that we support what he does for his country. That’s really important to the Lakers when we have a player that’s the face of our franchise, just to show that support for him,” Pelinka said. “And it’s just great to see him with his teammates, interacting, having fun. As you said, he is in great shape, really committed to working hard this summer, and to be able to watch that in person was worth flying over the ocean to come be with him.”
When Doncic eventually returns to Los Angeles, he and LeBron James will be tasked with leading the franchise toward a deep playoff run. Redick has a deep and talented roster at his disposal. And with Doncic getting some competitive reps in at the EuroBasket tournament, he should be ready to hit the ground running.