One NBA insider believes the La Lakers should target a hopeful lottery from this year’s NBA Draft to play alongside Luka Doncic and Lebron James.
The Los Angeles Lakers were handed an incredible boost heading into a crucial offseason. Shams Charania reported that Mark Walter bought the Lakers for $10 billion.
This greatly improves the team’s economic flexibility towards negotiation. Walter is one of the richest team owners in the NBA, and his time with the Dodgers showed he is willing to beat the bank for a superstar player like Shohei ohtani.
As the Lakers try to build around Luka Donsic, they have a fair number of gaps to fill the roster. Their desperate need for the center led the Lakers to target Clint Capella and Walker Kessler.
But there are others like Paul Piercing who thinks the Lakers need a wing defender. Franchises may turn to deals and free agents to fill their roster.
However, one NBA insider believes they need to try and land a draft pick so they can select a player that fits perfectly with LeBron James and Lukadon Sic.
Speaking on a recent podcast, NBA insider Kevin O’Connor believes the Los Angeles Lakers front office can make clever moves on draft day.
He pointed to the Austin Raves, who has an expired contract as a potential trade asset so that the Lakers can choose the lottery. As for the pick itself, O’Connor believes the Lakers should choose to rise Cedric Coward, as the Lakers fit well with Luka Donsic and LeBron James.
“The first team that comes to mind is not as much “trade-up” as it is “trade-in,” and only has the 55th pick in the draft. ”
“I think the most amazing trade-up is the Lakers, as we have Austin Reeves. There’s a bit of an incomplete fit next to Luca and LeBron James, and a bit of a redundant.”
“Can they trade Austin Reeves and try to get lottery picks and players?
“I hear what Houston can trade up, down or out. At Portland at 10 o’clock, I’ve never heard of any trade conversations with them, but I don’t know why they don’t listen.”
“I can’t imagine Chicago being a 12-year-old Reevesteam, but the 13-year-old Hawks is funny. The 14-year-old Spurs are really funny.
“So if you are the Lakers, I love Cedric Coward, and I think Coward would fit perfectly next to Luka, next to LeBron.
The idea of trading lottery picks is intriguing, but the Los Angeles Lakers must try to maximize the value of Austin Reeves.
This year, Reaves rose strong numbers and established themselves as the third best player on the team with a comfortable margin.
| Statistics Categories | Austin Reeves (2023-24) | Austin Reeves (2024-25) |
| point | 15.9 | 20.2 |
| rebound | 5.5 | 5.8 |
| assist | 4.3 | 4.5 |
| Field goal rate | 48.6% | 46.0% |
| 3 points per cent | 36.7% | 37.7% |
The reason for trading Reaves is very simple. He is likely to leave the team to free agency next season. The Lakers can offer Reaves a $89.2 million contract, far less than what they could earn in free agency.
However, the Lakers will not trade Reeves if they don’t find a player worth giving up on him. But the rumored factory is still spinning, especially after Reaves’ agents hinted at confusion in recent comments.
If the Lakers have to let go of the Reaves, they will need to maximize his value, even if rival NBA teams force the Lakers to overpay on every deal.