Denver Nuggets sharpshooter Michael Porter Jr. might find a new home soon. According to the new NBA trade rumor, the Los Angeles Lakers are reportedly exploring a potential trade that could send Austin Reaves to Colorado.

While the Lakers are relying on Luka Doncic's playmaking and LeBron James' scoring, it's a known fact that they lack depth in outside shooting. With this, they need a reliable three-point gunner to improve their offense.

Although this might appear to be a feasible deal, that won't be easy as the Nuggets are not willing to give up their prized forward for nothing.

Lakers Struggling with Perimeter Shooting

NBA Trade Rumors: Lakers Could Trade Austin Reaves For Michael NBA Trade Rumors: Lakers Could Trade Austin Reaves For Michael
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Despite being in the race for the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference, the Lakers have suffered three consecutive losses, exposing their inconsistency. Since Feb. 2, when they landed Luka Dončić in a blockbuster trade, the Lakers have shown flashes of brilliance but remain inconsistent, particularly from beyond the arc.

Under head coach JJ Redick, the team is shooting just 35.7% from three-point range, making perimeter scoring a glaring issue, SportsTak reports.

This shortcoming has ignited rumors that Los Angeles may pursue Michael Porter Jr. in the offseason. The Nuggets forward, currently on a $179 million contract, has established himself as one of the NBA's premier three-point shooters.

As a rookie, he shot an impressive 42.2% from deep, and over the last five seasons, he has maintained an accuracy of at least 39.7% in four campaigns.

How Porter's Shooting Could Transform the Lakers

Porter is enjoying another strong season, averaging 18.2 points and 6.9 rebounds per game while shooting 50.6% from the field and 39.9% from three-point range. His ability to move off the ball and release his shot quickly would make him an immediate upgrade for a Lakers team that desperately needs perimeter scoring.

While Austin Reaves has been a valuable asset for Los Angeles with his versatility and playmaking skills, he does not provide the elite-level shooting the team requires.

It's important to note that Porter's presence would stretch opposing defenses, create more open looks for the Lakers' superstars, and give them a reliable deep threat in crunch time.

Lakers Need to Seriously Convince Nuggets About the Deal

Acquiring Porter will be no easy feat. The Nuggets value him highly, considering his integral role in their 2023 championship run. Throughout the season, Denver has remained firm on keeping Porter despite trade rumors, making it unlikely they will entertain offers unless his performance declines or unforeseen circumstances force their hand.

A previous Bleacher Report article stated that Porter Jr. couldn't be shaken by NBA trade rumors. He said that all of them "were just noise."

Lakers Still Hope to Land Porter Jr.

With the playoffs approaching, the Lakers are expected to closely monitor Porter's availability. If Denver shows any willingness to negotiate, Los Angeles could make a serious push for one of the league's best sharpshooters.

Adding Porter would not only improve their offense but also provide the missing piece needed to make a legitimate championship run.

For the next few weeks before the NBA Playoff 2025 concludes, we will see if the "trade talks" will develop further.