Lakers rumor: Reeves may be used to exchange center from the Jazz in the offseason, involving 5 players

Is this deal concluded with the Jazz reasonable?

Austin Reeves has performed well this season. The undraft guard averaged 20.2 points per game and was more efficient when he didn't need to share his on-field position with LeBron James and/or Luca Doncic. Of course, Luca Doncic, of the two stars, was traded, and the deal was undoubtedly one of the most surprising deals in NBA history. While Reeves has shown some star potential, his cooperation with Doncic is still questionable, no matter how much money the Lakers make from the Dallas Mavericks in this deal.

Doncic and Reeves are both defenders with strong ball possession skills, but their defensive skills are limited. This offseason, the Lakers are desperate for a center and they may need to trade Reeves to get one. The Utah Jazz are the team that the Lakers deserve to consider for trade.

Jazz's trade proposal for Austin Reeves

Jazz's acquisitions: Austin Reeves, Gabe Vincent, 2031 first-round draft picks

Lakers' acquisitions: Walker Kessler, Jordan Clarkson, Kiyonte George, two second-round draft picks

The Lakers' demand for center is well known. In the playoffs, JJ Reddick was forced to put Jackson Hayes and forwards such as Hachimura, Jared Vanderbilt and James as centers. Although Walker Kessler has improved in his third season and has begun to become one of the Jazz’s core players, he has been frequently seen in trade rumors in the past.

If the Jazz are willing to trade him, he is the kind of big guy who can thrive on a team led by James/Doncic. Kessler's offense isn't great, but he can hit the rebounds and finish the finish inside. He is also an excellent frame guard on the defensive end. James and Doncic need great attention and they are also excellent in organizing the offense, so they need a center who can pass the ball low after they break through.

However, this deal brings far more than one center to the Lakers. The team also got Jordan Clarkson and Keont George. Clarkson is a regular candidate for the Sixth Person of the Year. He is a player with a lot of scoring firepower and can play quickly from the bench. George showed potential in the first two seasons, but with the rise of Isaiah Collier and Colin Sexton's stay, the Utah Jazz's backcourt became overcrowded.

Reeves is one of the best No. 3 players in the NBA and has shown the potential of a star player in his fourth season, so trading him is not an easy task for the Lakers. However, the deal not only increases the team's much-needed center but also increases the team's roster depth, so they must consider accepting the deal as they are working to win a championship before James retires.

Why did the Jazz trade Austin Reeves?

The Western Conference is strong and all top teams have multiple stars. In the Western Conference Finals, the Oklahoma City Thunder have Shea Gilgers-Alexander, who is most likely to win MVP, as well as two All-Star teammates Jaylen Williams and Chet Homegren. Meanwhile, the Minnesota Timberwolves have Anthony Edwards, one of the best players in the league. In addition, there are many other strong players on the team, but most notable is Julius Randall, who was selected for the All-Star Game and Rudy Gobert won the Defensive Player of the Year four times.

The Denver Nuggets have Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray; the Golden State Warriors have Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and Jimmy Butler; the Los Angeles Clippers have James Harden and Kawhi Leonard. Even rising stars like the San Antonio Spurs have multiple superstars, and the pair Victor Vibaniama and De Aaron Fox should make waves next season. It's obvious that while the depth of the lineup is important, the NBA is still a star-powered league.

Laurie Markanen has All-Star experience, but the Jazz need another elite player, especially when Markanen is in a sluggish state. Given that Reeves averaged 20.2 points per game on a team with many players with strong ball possession, it is entirely possible that he will become a well-deserved star player for a team like the Jazz. In addition to Reeves, the Jazz may also be able to squeeze a future first-round pick from the Lakers.