Time is ticking for the Los Angeles Lakers if they want to maximize their championship prowess with the tandem of Luka Doncic and LeBron James. With “The King” turning 41 next season, the window to chase a championship with him is narrow at best.
That is why Shannon Sharpe feels the Purple and Gold need to act strategically, and that includes considering a tough decision — trading their most valuable trade chip, Austin Reaves, to pursue a traditional center that can help elevate the game of both James and Doncic.
After averaging 15.9 points and 5.5 assists during the 2023-24 campaign, AR proved himself to be one of the most reliable no. 3 options in the league. As a result, the franchise rewarded him with a four-year, $53 million contract before the start of this season. And “Hillbilly Kobe” didn’t disappoint, averaging 20.2 points in the 2024-25 season, asserting himself as one of the most valuable pieces in their core.
During the 2025 trade deadline, the Lakers seemed determined not to entertain any trade offers for Reaves. However, as the legendary NFL tight end said, now is the time to consider. With the 6’5″ shooting guard now reaching his borderline All-Star level, more and more teams will be interested in offering him a lucrative contract worthy of his growth and talent.
On his podcast, Sharpe argued that from a team perspective, the Lakers need to offer their most valuable piece to acquire a battle-tested rim protector and pick-and-lob threat who can dominate the paint alongside the marquee duo.
As tempting as it is to see Reaves’ name used as trade bait, the truth is that the Lakers should not let go of him so easily. The 26-year-old is not an ordinary rising star but a homegrown fan favorite. Suppose the organization has put its faith in him. In that case, he has rewarded that trust by improving each season, regardless of the coaching changes or shifting roles.
Whether Bron or Luka was out of the lineup, AR stepped up and delivered, proving that he’s more than capable of handling pressure on the big stage. And that is exactly the type of selfless, gritty player who can help build long-term success.
We do this thing as sports fans where we say a team or player can’t win it all, until they do. Some fans wanted to break up Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown in Boston until the organization’s patience paid off with a banner No. 18. It’s not new — there was a time when it was popular to say Michael Jordan couldn’t win the big one — and it’s not just basketball, ask the Philadelphia Eagles’ Jalen Hurts.
There were plenty of fans and some knowledgeable people inside basketball heading into the playoffs who were not convinced that Oklahoma City was any more than a good regular-season team.
