The Los Angeles Lakers were supposed to be one of the most active teams heading into the offseason. However, after months of minimal moves, general manager Rob Pelinka is starting to feel like he’s aiming for something even bigger.
Should Pelinka be prepared for a blockbuster deal, it would be interesting to see who might leave the Lakers organization. Fortunately for Los Angeles, the team has a handful of remarkable assets which could shake things up if a trade were on the table.
“Best trade assets: G Austin Reaves, F Rui Hachimura, 2029 first-round pick,” writes Greg Swartz of Bleacher Report. “Reaves is the Lakers’ best player outside of (LeBron) James and Hachimura and he’s on a terrific contract. Keeping him should be the goal, though giving him up in a trade for a star may ultimately be necessary,”
“Hachimura is in a similar position to Reaves as a good starting-caliber player about to hit his prime on a team-friendly contract. Again, there’s no reason to trade the 26-year-old, especially given his shooting ability, though he’d likely be part of a trade deal for a star the Lakers would listen to (or make calls about).”
Reaves has emerged as one of the Lakers’ top role players since signing with the team as an undrafted free agent in 2021. Fresh off a career year averaging 15.9 points, 5.5 assists and 4.3 rebounds while shooting 48.6 percent from the field, it would be hard to see Los Angeles letting the 26-year-old go unless a sure-fire upgrade is on the way.
As for Hachimura, LA acquired the former 2023 lottery pick from the Washington Wizards. In 101 games for the Lakers, the Gonzaga product is averaging 12.3 points, 4.4 rebounds and one assist. It would be a shock to see Los Angeles part ways with the forward, especially with the team’s lack of depth up front — but if the price is right, anything can happen.
Only time will tell what Pelinka’s plans are, but both of these young players could be names thrown around in trade rumors as the season progresses.
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