LA Lakers backed for NBA Draft trade for Lottery prospect who would be ‘perfect next to Luka Doncic’

Kevin O’Connor suggests LA Lakers draft Cedric Coward via trade

Speaking on a recent podcast, NBA insider Kevin O’Connor believes the Los Angeles Lakers’ front office could make some shrewd moves come draft day.

He pointed to Austin Reaves, who is on an expiring contract, as a potential trade asset so the Lakers can pick in the lottery. As for the pick itself, O’Connor believes the Lakers should select rising prospect Cedric Coward, as he would fit well with Luka Doncic and LeBron James.

“The first team that comes to my mind isn’t really a ‘trade up’ as much as it’s a ‘trade in’, they only have the 55th pick in the draft.”

“I think the most surprising trade-up would be the Lakers, because you have Austin Reaves, a bit of an imperfect fit next to Luka and LeBron James, a little bit of redundancy.”

“Could they try to trade Austin Reaves and get a lottery pick and a player, something like that, like a better fitting player, or a filler with a lottery pick, something in the late teens?

“You hear about Houston could trade up, down, or out. At 10, Portland, I have not heard any trade conversations with them, but I don’t see why they wouldn’t listen.”

“Chicago at 12, I can’t imagine would be a Reaves team, but the Hawks at 13 are interesting. The Spurs at 14 are really interesting. I think the Raptors at number nine are going to say ‘yeah.'”

“So if you’re the Lakers, I love Cedric Coward. I think Coward would be a perfect fit next to Luka, next to LeBron, however long LeBron plays.”

Rob Pelinka must be careful about trading Austin Reaves

While the idea of trading for a lottery pick is tantalizing, the Los Angeles Lakers must try to maximize Austin Reaves’ value.

This year, Reaves put up strong numbers and established himself as the third-best player on the team by a comfortable margin.

The reason to trade Reaves is very simple. He is likely to leave the team in free agency next season. The Lakers can offer Reaves an $89.2 million contract, far below what he can earn in free agency.

However, the Lakers won’t trade Reaves if they don’t find a player worth giving him up for. But the rumor mill has still been turning, especially after Reaves’ agent hinted at turmoil with his recent comments.

If the Lakers must let Reaves go, they should maximize his value, even if rival NBA teams will force the Lakers to overpay in any trade.