There’s uncertainty surrounding the Los Angeles Lakers’ organization.
With LeBron James considering retirement this summer, there’s no telling which direction Los Angeles is headed.
Still, that didn’t stop Yahoo Sports’ Tom Haberstroh from predicting that the Lakers will cut ties with Austin Reaves and acquire a Memphis Grizzlies star forward in free agency.
"Will the Grizzlies fully smash the reset button after a disastrous finish to the season that included GM Zach Kleiman firing Taylor Jenkins right before the postseason and the team getting swept in the first round,” Haberstroh wrote Thursday.
"We’ll see what happens this offseason with Ja Morant and (Jaren) Jackson. The latter could have signed an extension before the season but decided against it, opting for the possibility he could make All-NBA this season and become eligible for a supermax extension bump.”
"He has an expiring deal at a reasonable $25 million for 2025-26 after which the 25-year-old can become a free agent.”
"Rather than risk letting the former Defensive Player of the Year walk for nothing, the Grizzlies could bring Reaves ‘home’ to Memphis, just 100 miles away from the Newark, Arkansas, farm on which he was raised.”
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Haberstroh’s trade proposal sends Reaves, Rui Hachimura, Dalton Knecht, an unprotected 2031 first-round pick, and pick swaps in 2026, 2028, 2030, and 2032 to the Grizzlies for Jackson and Brandon Clarke.
The Oklahoma City Thunder swept the Grizzlies in the first round of the playoffs. Morant’s hip injury in Game 3 virtually sealed Memphis’ fate in the series, giving them little to no shot of making a resounding comeback.
Still, it’s worth noting that Jackson had his moments in the series. The Michigan State product averaged 16.0 points in four playoff games, netting 20+ points in Games two and three.
However, Jackson’s efficiency was subpar, and considering he’s been a disappointing rebounder all season, it wasn’t surprising to witness him average a measly five boards per game.
On a positive note, the 6-foot-10 big man’s ability to make plays off the dribble and in face-up situations in the low post, knock down perimeter jumpers when left alone, and offer resistance as a stout low-post defender should be music to the Lakers’ ears.
Reaves was an underwhelming performer against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the postseason, failing to solidify himself as a trustworthy No. 3 scoring option come playoff time.
Swapping Reaves for Jackson in free agency could be exactly what the doctor ordered for Los Angeles.
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