LeBron James' agent suggests Lakers should make bombshell Austin Reaves trade

Jeremy Beren

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LeBron James' agent suggests Lakers should make bombshell Austin Reaves trade image

Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Rich Paul, the agent of Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James, has proposed a sensational trade that would rock the NBA's Western Conference.

The Lakers are building long-term around Luka Doncic, and less so around James, for whom retirement rumors continue to swirl. In Paul's opinion, Memphis Grizzlies star Jaren Jackson Jr. Would be the ideal partner for Doncic, even if acquiring the former Defensive Player of the Year would come at a huge cost.

Speaking to Max Kellerman on the Game Over podcast, Paul said that the Lakers would "do what's best" for pending free agent Austin Reaves by dealing him to the Grizzlies, where, Paul thinks, Reaves would become Memphis' leading scorer and franchise player.

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In addition, having all three of Reaves, Doncic and Jackson on the books would put the Lakers in a delicate position under the salary cap, especially as Reaves is ticketed for free agency after the season.

"Austin is beloved (in Los Angeles), which he should be," Paul said. "There’s a world you can do what’s best for your team, and do what’s best for Austin. Austin deserves to get paid, right now."

Reaves stepping in as the Grizzlies' potential Ja Morant replacement would signal a major shift for a franchise where a rebuild is becoming a stronger possibility.

Jackson's defensive talent and ability to stretch the floor might make him an ideal fit next to Doncic on a new-look Lakers team. But Jackson is under contract in Memphis for three more years, pending a player option that would add a fourth year to that commitment. The Lakers would have to be prepared to part with numerous assets — not just Reaves — to pique the Grizzlies' interest.

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