"Now is the right time to trade." What do you mean? "LAL Undrafted Myth" became "BIG3" now... A leading U.S. reporter recommended! "We need to consider the financial structure."

"Now is the right time to trade." What do you mean? "LAL Undrafted Myth" became "BIG3" now... A leading U.S. reporter recommended! "We need to consider the financial structure."

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It has been argued that it is best to trade Austin Reeves in the offseason, who has established himself as a solid three options for the Los Angeles Lakers this season.

The U.S. media "Sports Illustrated" quoted Sam Besseni of "The Athletic" on the 8th (Korea Standard Time) and reported, "Now is the right time to trade Reeves before his ransom rises in earnest."스포츠토토
"Lives is the most valuable prospect in the Lakers right now. He's one of the top 40 players in the entire league, and he's an amazing talent," Besseni said in his recent appearance on "The Game Story Podcast."

However, he said, "Now is a 'cost-effectiveness contract' worth $13.9 million (about 18.9 billion won) per year, but we may soon have to spend more than $40 million (about 54.4 billion won) per year to catch Reeves. Considering the long-term financial structure of the club, it is time to consider trading now."
Citing the trade with the Dallas Mavericks as an example, he said, "It is possible to have a scenario in which Reeves is traded for Derek Lively. Lively has already worked with Luca Doncic, and he added that it could not be a bad choice for Dallas, which has plenty of frontcourt resources.

Reeves did not get the 2021 draft pick, but he averaged 20.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 5.8 assists and 1.1 steals in this year's regular season, achieving a career high. His background from the Undraft also has the absolute support of Lakers fans.
However, it was regrettable at the playoff. The average score decreased to 16.2 points, while the field goal success rate (41.1 percent) and the three-point shooting rate (31.9 percent) also declined. Notably, Minnesota's weaknesses were exposed as it became a target of intensive attack in defense.

"Lives' defense is still a risk," SI said. "If LeBron James retires, the Lakers are likely to form a team centered on Reeves and Doncic. This combination does not necessarily mean that it will reduce the competitiveness of the championship, but if the defense is not balanced in the rest of the positions, the risk increases."

In fact, there have been calls for Reeves to be traded in recent years. Just last month, Bill Plaschky, a reporter for the U.S. media "LA Times," argued that the team's weakness under the basket should be addressed through a trade centered on Reeves.
"I don't want to use these three words," Plaschky said, then straightforwardly said, "Trade Austin Reaves."

"We need to use Reeves to recruit a defensive big man who can take the lob pass and protect the rim," he said. "It's the only way to fill the vacancy that caused the postseason to be eliminated. Reeves is the most attractive asset the Lakers have right now and the only card that can attract big inside."

Although Besseni and Plaschky's views are not completely consistent, they are on the same page in the big frame that Reeves must be traded to win.
Indeed, no player on the Lakers roster currently has a higher trade value than Reeves.

With LeBron James having to prepare for after retirement, it is not a strange choice for the Lakers to use Reeves to seek the league's top-ranked big man resources.

In addition, Reeves is likely to demand a high salary after the end of his contract.

Sporting News recently said, "If Reeves qualifies as a free agent next summer, he is expected to demand an annual salary of at least $30 million (about 40.8 billion won), and according to some reports, a larger contract is possible."
Of course, Reeves is still a popular player with the Lakers and a promising player in the future. In an interview after the season, Rob Pelinka, the team's general manager, emphasized Reeves as a key resource, describing him as "a pillar of the organization."

However, it seems that it is time for the Lakers to make a strategic decision using Reeves in order to build a stable winning power around Doncic over the next few years.