With the Feb. 8 trade deadline approaching, the Los Angeles Lakers are in dire need of some trade reinforcements after losing to the Houston Rockets. The Los Angeles Lakers have reportedly withdrawn their plans to trade D'Angelo Russell due to his recent upturn in form and becoming the best helper for LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
However, for the Lakers, someone has to be sent away by a trade. The Los Angeles Lakers have reportedly decided to trade Reaves, who they want to trade for a 25-year-old All-Star. Not long ago, the Los Angeles Lakers refused to trade Reaves away.
Lakers insider Jovan Buha said the Lakers may change their minds, and the Lakers are more than willing to trade Reaves for an All-Star like Markkanen and find a good helper for LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
"Some players the Lakers will include him in the trade. If they could add a true third-place star to a bigger deal to complement James and Davis — Utah All-Star Markkanen, for example — or multiple high-level starters, they would consider trading Reaves. ”
Some time ago, it was revealed that the Los Angeles Lakers planned to trade D'Angelo Russell and a future first-round pick for Dejounte Murray of the Atlanta Hawks. However, because the Lakers refused to send Reaves to get Dejounte Murray, this also led to the eventual breakdown of trade negotiations between the two sides.
Reaves, 25, will earn an average of $13.4 million a year over the next four seasons. Reaves is averaging 149 points, 40 rebounds and 52 assists. Trading him for Markkanen is definitely a sure win for the Lakers.
Markkanen is averaging 23 per game this season7 points and 88 rebounds, with an annual salary of only $17.2 million. As an All-Star for the 2022-23 season, his annual salary is definitely the lowest. Moreover, his contract will not end until 2025.
However, Markkanen's trade value is so high that the Lakers must offer an unprotected 2029 first-round pick and a swap of 2028 and 2030 picks before the Jazz could accept the Lakers' trade request.
The main reason is that there are many teams that want to get Markkanen, and the Jazz are not worried that they will not get paid well for trading Markkanen. However, if the Los Angeles Lakers can complete the deal, they can build a five-man starting lineup led by D'Angelo Russell, Jarred Vanderbilt, LeBron James, Markkanen and Anthony Davis. They make the playoffs this season and have a much better chance of competing for a championship.