The Los Angeles Lakers are reportedly open to a Zach LaVine trade although there is one name they will not give up – Austin Reaves.
Although he has been moved to the bench, an Austin Reaves trade is far from the minds of the Lakers, Jovan Buha of The Athletic reported. Rather, the scribe suggested another player who could be in the middle of a Zach LaVine trade in D’Angelo Russell.
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It is no secret that DLO’s name has been mentioned in trade talks in the offseason. Russell signed a two-year $36 million deal with the Lakers in July, a pact that included a player option in the second year, NBA.com reported.
Regardless, the belief is that Russell will eventually be dealt out at some point this season if the Lakers can find a tempting player to go after. Could Zach LaVine be that opportunity?
Here are some trade packages that the Lakers may consider
Russell together with Rui Hachimura and Gabe Vincent
Russell’s contract alone will not be enough to cover the money LaVine is owed. The All-Star guard is owed $138 million in the next three years from the $215 million max contract he signed in 2022 per ESPN. Hence, Los Angeles will need to find a way to match that.
While Russell’s case is nothing new, adding Hachimura to the mix may not make sense. The 9th overall pick of the 2019 NBA Draft is showing signs of life this season so cutting ties may be risky.
Vincent, on the other hand, could be another pawn that may be sacrificed although he has yet to return from a knee injury he suffered in November. Vincent owns a $33 million contract, meaning the Lakers still have a huge financial difference to cover.
Multiplayer deal scenario where Lakers get LaVine and Caruso
The Lakers do not have to focus on LaVine alone. There is another player in the Bulls roster that LA may want to get its hands on – Alex Caruso.
While things may get complicated in this scenario if a third team does agree to participate, the bottom line is that the Lakers will have to sacrifice some of their new faces.
That includes Russell, Rui Hachimura and Jarred Vanderbilt, a mix that could cover what LaVine is due. But like in the first scenario, would it be worth it to sacrifice players who appear to know their role on the Lakers already?
The Lakers give up Reaves anyway
Although they are against it, the Lakers have made the same declaration in the past with young stars but ended up trading them anyway. Remember the Anthony Davis trade?
Recall that back in 2019, the Lakers gave up Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, Josh Hart and three future first-round picks for Davis, the LA Times reported. That worked instantly for the Lakers, going all the way to win the NBA title.
So Reaves, Hachimura, Vincent or even Vanderbilt could be sent. But would it be wise?
First, Davis is far different from LaVine. The Lakers needed a center back then and the position at risk right now is something that can be filled easily by any player on the Lakers’ current roster.
Second, there is the chemistry and touches issue. Can LaVine adapt to a new role behind LeBron James and Davis? They tried that with Russell Westbrook and it didn’t work.
While there is no doubt that LaVine is a tempting player to get, the Lakers may not need him to get better. They may get worse if they turn to an old tactic of going for another high-priced star. The Lakers should have learned their lesson by now.
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