One word that could accurately describe Austin Reaves’ current fit with the Los Angeles Lakers is ‘redundant.’
Since Los Angeles’ league-shattering acquisition of ex-Dallas Mavericks superstar Luka Dončić prior to the Feb. 6 trade deadline, the team has undergone a complete change of identity, especially with the generational talent being paired alongside future Hall of Fame inductee LeBron James.
Reaves’ road to developing into a homegrown, star talent has been an entertaining one to see unfold, but his ball-dominant play-style and facilitating chops may not be utilized correctly in the future as a member of the storied franchise.
While the 26-year-old sits in a precarious position, the team’s desperation to land a shot-blocking, lob-finishing center talent has reached an all-time high following a disappointing first-round playoff exit. Fortunately for Los Angeles, recent reports have indicated that a suitable trade candidate from the Minnesota Timberwolves could fit perfectly within the Lakers’ game-plan.
Are we sure Rudy Gobert is on the Timberwolves next season? His cap number is about to drop thanks to a pre-season extension, but the Timberwolves have to figure out new contracts for Julius Randle, Naz Reid and Nickeil Alexander-Walker,” CBS Sports’ Sam Quinn wrote Thursday.
“They’ve already traded Karl-Anthony Towns for financial purposes. Moving Gobert now would just serve to reorient the team around those younger players.
If Dončić could stomach sharing a team with him, he’d be a great basketball fit.”
“He remains a stellar defender, and while his offense has nosedived this season, he’s traditionally been good at catching lobs, setting screens and offensive rebounding. That’s all the Lakers need their center to do.”
To acquire the 4-time Defensive Player of the Year winner and 3-time All-Star, Los Angeles could offer Minnesota a package consisting of Reaves and the expiring contracts of Gabe Vincent and Maxi Kleber to get a deal across the finish line financially.
While shipping their rising star to a recent postseason rival would be a tough pill to swallow for the Lakers, Gobert’s potential fit with a roster led by Dončić and James is undeniable.
Both superstars have historically thrived when paired with long, athletic bigs that can reject shots at the rim and finish precise lob passes with a jam on the other end.
In 72 appearances for Minnesota in the regular season, Gobert contributed 12.0 points, 10.9 rebounds and 1.4 blocks while shooting 66.9% from the field.
Los Angeles got a taste of Gobert’s game-wrecking abilities when the Timberwolves closed the Lakers out in Game 5 of their opening-round 2025 NBA Playoff series, a contest that the 7-foot-1 force finished with 27 points, 24 rebounds and two blocked shots in 39 minutes of action.
The timing of the move may be viewed as questionable in the immediate aftermath of Minnesota’s convincing playoff triumph, but Gobert could undoubtedly plug plenty of holes in the Lakers’ lineup as an intimidating frontcourt force for the 2025-26 season and beyond if brought in by Los Angeles this summer.
