Even though Austin Reaves is a vital member of the Los Angeles Lakers and a fan favorite, this coming season could very well be his last with the team.
He can opt out of his contract and become a free agent next summer, and it is expected that he will do just that. Both sides are reportedly hoping to work out a long-term contract extension, but plenty of people are skeptical that the Lakers can win the NBA championship with a starting backcourt of Reaves and Luka Doncic, given the two men’s lack of athleticism.
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Former Laker and seven-time NBA champion Robert Horry is one of a sizable number of people who feel the team needs to trade Reaves in order to win it all. He explained why during a recent episode of the “Big Shot Bob” podcast.
“If the Lakers are smart, they would do a sign-and-trade. And the reason I say that is because when you have a team with two players, who are pretty much the same, meaning Luka and AR, I’m not saying they have the same skill set — they play the same position, pretty much do the same thing — it’s a wash. Don’t get me wrong, I love AR, but you don’t need two of the same players.”
There is an argument to be made that the fact that Reaves and Doncic are similar players works to their benefit, as they could help each other lessen their respective workloads. But both are relatively slow and unathletic, and both are weak defenders. Reaves, in particular, has shown an inability to handle bigger wings when switched onto them, as well as fast or quick guards.
The undrafted Arkansas native averaged 20.2 points and 5.8 assists a game last season. Some feel he will raise his production yet again this season, and he has reportedly been working on shooting and attacking off the pass in order to prepare to play off the ball alongside Doncic and LeBron James this season.
This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Robert Horry explains why he thinks Lakers should trade Austin Reaves