The Los Angeles Lakers must make trades before the Feb. 5 deadline, but Austin Reaves’ calf injury complicates their dealings. They have already ruled him out for four weeks, and he may not play again before the deadline. Reaves reinjured his left calf, so the Lakers can’t take any chances. The extended absence makes it even more difficult for head coach JJ Redick and the front office to figure things out.
Reaves will decline a $14.8 million player option for next season and become an unrestricted free agent this summer. He already turned down the maximum extension the Lakers can offer before he hits the open market. Reaves wants to stay in LA, but the franchise will have to pay handsomely to keep him.
The Lakers have been awful with their three stars sharing the floor this season. Luka Doncic is locked in as the centerpiece. Los Angeles has to choose between LeBron and AR for his co-star. Both will be free agents in the offseason, and fans know what makes the most sense.
Lakers need to trade LeBron James or Austin Reaves before the deadline
If LA is planning to jettison one of their stars, they would be wise to get whatever value possible before Feb. 5. Letting them walk in free agency would give the Lakers cap space, but marquee players rarely change teams that way anymore. If they play their cards right, the Lakers could get more draft capital to upgrade their roster via trade and a crucial piece or two to put around number 77.
Reaves was on pace to be a first-time All-Star and make a run for All-NBA before suffering two calf injuries. The first only cost him three games, but the Lakers clearly brought him back too soon. He is in his prime and keeps improving. They need to get him healthy, but the franchise’s fast start proved he can thrive next to Luka and pick up the slack if Doncic has to miss time.
LeBron is 41 years old and clearly declining. The Lakers have been outscored by 7.1 points per 100 possessions with him on the floor this season and have a 125.8 defensive rating. Those numbers are atrocious and resemble nothing near what a title contender puts up.
With all three stars on the floor, LA has a negative-9.8 net rating and a 118.7 defensive mark. They are all elite scorers, but there is only one ball. It is taking away from their incredible offensive production and crushing their defense. The Lakers must move on from someone, but they will be selling low either way.
Reaves’ friendship with Luka and the proximity in age makes him the obvious choice to keep. They will have to give him something close to a max contract to keep him long-term. Reaves was playing like a star before his injury. That must be the new norm if this is going to work.
They don’t want to trade Reaves when he’s injured, and LeBron’s value is at an all-time low. Multiple teams would still bite on King James based on the sales alone, but that is not the Laker way. They are known for taking care of their stars and allowing them to retire wearing the purple and gold. The Lakers should move on from LeBron, but that isn’t how they operate.
Fans should expect this headache to continue. The Los Angeles Lakers have a misshapen roster and only problematic ways out of it. Austin Reaves’ injury adds a new wrinkle the franchise didn’t want. Rob Pelinka and the leadership will have to make a difficult decision that will hurt someone's feelings. Stay tuned to see which way the Lakers go.