The Los Angeles Lakers might have to move on from Austin Reaves if they want to get back a perfect player. Reaves, who has continued to get better in the NBA, is an above-average player, but might not be the smoothest fit on the Lakers due to Luka Doncic. When the Lakers acquired Doncic, it was the right thing to do, but it might require them to move on from the Oklahoma product now. 
When searching for potential trade options in a deal involving Reaves, Sports Illustrated recently proposed the idea of sending him to the New Orleans Pelicans for Herb Jones. After the Pelicans made a trade on Tuesday for Jordan Poole, however, it’s tough to see where Reaves might fit.
“It’s hard to get a much better replacement for Reaves than Jones. Jones is still very young and he makes the exact same amount of money that Reaves does.
“What would make this so attractive to the Lakers is that Jones is the prototypical 3-and-D wing that the Lakers crave. He would fit perfectly in their starting lineup. Attach a second-round pick, and the Pelicans might go for it,” SI wrote.
Why Would Lakers Consider Trading Austin Reaves?
There are a few reasons the Los Angeles Lakers should consider moving on from Reaves. If they have the opportunity to trade him for a player of Jones’ caliber, they need to do so. Not only is Jones a better player, but he’s perfect for what the Lakers need. He’s a big wing who can shoot the three-point shot at an above-average level, and is arguably one of the top five to 10 defenders in the NBA.
But when also factoring in Reaves’ potential contract, which Eric Pincus of Bleacher reported could be as high as $30 million per year after he’s likely to decline his player option, there’s a chance the Lakers might lose him for nothing eventually because of them not wanting to give him that type of money.
“Reaves is nearly sure to decline his $14.9 million player option for the 2026-27 season to explore unrestricted free agency next summer, seeking a salary in the $30 million starting range. The most he can extend for ($19.5 million) is far short of that number. Any team acquiring him would need behind-the-scenes assurances that he’d re-sign at a pre-arranged price, although they wouldn’t be technically legal or binding,” he wrote.
Sixers Are Suitor for Herb Jones
There have been reports that the New Orleans Pelicans could move on from Jones. The Los Angeles Lakers haven’t been in those rumors, but the Philadelphia 76ers have. However, according to a Pelicans reporter, the team didn’t have any plans on trading him to move up to the third overall pick in the draft.
“I’m told from an NBA source that rumors and speculation of Herb Jones being traded to the Philadelphia 76ers as part of NOLA moving up to No. 3 in the draft are ‘BS’,” writes NBC New Orleans’ Fletcher Mackel. “That talk is probably coming from Sixers who are trying to up the price for 3rd overall pick.”
The Pelicans likely wouldn’t have viewed Reaves as a better asset than pick No. 3, which was VJ Edgecombe.
