Lakers Must Try To Trade Austin Reaves For Center, Lou Williams Says

For the Lakers, that player very well could be guard Austin Reaves. According to the rumor mill, and multiple NBA insiders, the Lakers will indeed explore dealing Reaves this offseason to find that big man.

The Ringer’s Bill Simmons recently suggested that Reaves is as good as gone. Los Angeles Times writer Bill Plaschke indicated it’s time to make such a move — sending Reaves out for a big man.

Former NBA guard Lou Williams agreed.

“If that gives them a chance to go get somebody that can swing the Lakers back into a competitive place, by all means they’re gonna take their chances, right? And it’s gonna cost something to do it,” Williams said on Run It Back from FanDuel TV. “Austin Reaves has a lot of value now that he’s played at a high level. Now a lot of teams are going to want to acquire you.”

After another first-round exit, and LeBron James‘ basketball clock ticking, Williams and others may be right. It may be time to move Reaves.

“The small ball worked, but it didn’t work in the postseason,” Williams added. “They need to go get somebody. … I don’t know who’s out there on the market, but they definitely need to upgrade.”

Along with Reaves, multiple reports suggest the Lakers could potentially explore trades centered on forward Rui Hachimura.

• Related | Report: LA won’t trade Reaves unless they can acquire top-tier big