Even though Lakers fans are still energized from the Luka Doncic trade, the reality is that the “Showtime Lakers” aren’t officially back—not yet.
The team has been outclassed in three consecutive postseasons, falling to the Nuggets twice and then getting handled by the Timberwolves this year.
A major issue facing the Lakers is the looming “Austin Reaves situation.” Reports indicate Los Angeles offered him an extension, but with the expectation of a much larger payday in free agency, Reaves declined the offer.
That raises a crucial question: once LeBron James is no longer on the roster, is a Luka Doncic–Austin Reaves duo enough to realistically compete for a championship? If the answer leans toward no, then the logical move is exploring a trade before Reaves commands a contract worth around $40 million per season.
This is where the Portland Trail Blazers come in.
The following proposal provides Portland with a versatile guard to pair alongside Scoot Henderson and their rising star center Donovan Clingan. In return, the Lakers would acquire one of the league’s most promising young forwards, Deni Avdija, giving them a potential future star to build with Doncic.
This is not a report, it’s a Prediction.
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Portland Trail Blazers Receive: G Austin Reaves & F Jared Vanderbilt
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: F Deni Avdija & Robert Williams II
Lakers Must Trade Austin Reaves
Reaves obviously had an amazing season, but when it mattered the most, he had 31% from three in the playoffs. He still averaged 16 points per game, but as Luka Doncic’s tag-team partner, he can’t be as porous as he was on defense in that series.
Doncic clearly has a deficiency on defense, but that has to do with him doing the heavy lifting on offense for the better portion of 40 minutes, so he needs a partner that can carry the defensive load.
As much as Reaves has truly progressed, there will be a major question mark around Reaves as a clear-cut number two option, and if the Lakers are thinking about Post-Lebron life, a trade is neccesary.
Can Deni Avdija Be the Next Lakers Star?
His game carries clear similarities to Luka Doncic, particularly in the way he draws contact, manipulates pace, and uses controlled deceleration to finish or create opportunities on his drives.
This past season provided a real glimpse of the type of player he can become when given the responsibility of being a top option. He consistently generated offense by collapsing defenses, and his passing instincts place him among the upper-tier playmakers in the league.
For the first time in his career, Deni was given the freedom to operate as a primary focal point, and the team responded with an impressive 18–9 run to close the season.
Meanwhile, one of the Lakers’ biggest shortcomings has been the lack of reliable secondary creation behind Luka Doncic and LeBron James.