If the Los Angeles Lakers genuinely want to get better before the Feb. 5 trade deadline, they’ll likely have to sacrifice one of the key contributors.
According to Boston Celtics legend Paul Pierce, it would be in the Lakers’ best interest to build around Luka Doncic and trade their 6-foot-5 breakout star.
“I think you need to try to package (Austin) Reaves for somebody,” Pierce said on No Fouls Given. “It’s either Reaves or Bron (LeBron James), because we’re building around Luka Doncic, right? He’s our guy. Those three on the perimeter defensively can’t get it done in a deep playoff run.”
“You cannot get a good big for the rest of those pieces. One of those two have to go for them to be a contender.”
If one thing’s certain, Reaves’ trade value is higher than it’s ever been. The Oklahoma product has taken his offensive game to an elevated level this season, averaging 26.6 points and 6.3 assists per game in 23 contests.
Granted, Reaves was the beneficiary of a banged-up/shorthanded Lakers squad to start the season (Doncic and James are among the contributors who missed several games), enabling him to assume No. 1 playmaking responsibilities and put Los Angeles on his back.
Still, it’s commendable that Reaves proved the Lakers could lean on him when they weren’t at full strength early on. Considering Reaves, James, and Doncic haven’t looked great together on the hardwood, though, Pierce is spot on in his assessment.
Los Angeles should consider using Reaves in a trade for a big man or high-level two-way wing before it’s too late.
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