Zach LaVine’s name has surfaced in recent trade discussions, drawing interest from teams such as the LA Lakers, Philadelphia 76ers, and Miami Heat. Despite the Lakers showcasing depth in the roster, their fluctuating performances have led many to suggest a potential pursuit of another star to help them become title contenders.
In light of this development, an NBA legend, whose recent job is to analyze issues of this nature, made a wild suggestion that many might disagree with, despite Austin Reeves’ recent performance against the Houston Rockets.
Gilbert Arenas claims Lakers should trade Austin Reaves for Zach LaVine
The LA Lakers aim to boost their roster this season for title contention, and Zach LaVine frequently emerges as a trade target. Former NBA star Gilbert Arenas has a bold suggestion to enhance the team performance. Arenas proposes that Austin Reaves should be the one traded for LaVine.
The ex-Washington Wizards star believes retaining D’Angelo Russell would be the optimal move for the Lakers. “I like AR, but for Zach,” Arenas said. “I’ll give up AR for Zach. Because at the end of the day, I still have DLo being DLo with Zach and Bron (James) and AD (Anthony Davis). … I wanna keep DLo because I don’t know if AR is aggressive enough to be the point guard.”
As of now, the Lakers’ plans for Reaves remain undisclosed. Despite signing him to a four-year, $56 million deal in the summer, their strategy may evolve based on needs. Austin Reaves averages 13.4 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 4.9 assists in the current season.
In contrast, Russell, the team’s starting point guard, posts 17.4 points per game, 3.5 rebounds, and 6.2 assists per game. Hence, the Lakers might consider moving Reaves to Chicago in exchange for Russell.
Austin Reaves performance against Rockets
The Lakers secured a late victory, marking their fifth win in six games at the closing moments. While LeBron James showcased his dominance against the Houston Rockets with an impressive season-high of 37 points on 14-of-19 shooting, including 6 rebounds, 8 assists, and 3 steals, it was a standout performance that fueled the Lakers’ triumph.
However, Austin Reaves played a crucial role in the 105-104 win over the Rockets, concluding the game with 17 points (5-7 FG, 2-3 3Pt, 5-6 FT), six rebounds, and six assists during his 25 minutes on the court. This exceptional display adds to Reaves’ consistent performances, especially since transitioning to a bench role.
Thriving in his new role, Austin Reaves has notched solid all-around performances. With near-triple-double performances in two out of the six games coming off the bench, he has scored in double digits on four occasions. Since joining the second unit, Reaves has maintained an impressive average of 13.7 points, 6.0 rebounds, 6.0 assists, and 0.3 steals per game, showcasing remarkable contributions.
