The 2024-25 NBA season is over, and it’s time for teams to focus on the offseason in hopes of bolstering their rosters ahead of next season.
The Los Angeles Lakers are among the teams expected to be incredibly active in scouting the trade and free agent market.
After all, with Mark Walter’s $10 billion takeover, the Lakers now have access to immense financial backing. But before splurging cash on the open market, it’s always wise to take a look at improving the team through trades.
Keeping that in mind, the ClutchPoints’ Bailey Bassett recently suggested a blockbuster move between the Lakers and the Memphis Grizzlies.
With the Grizzlies trading Desmond Bane to the Orlando Magic, many are expecting the team to part ways with star defender Jaren Jackson Jr. next.
Considering the Lakers are in immense need of a talented big man, the 17-time NBA champions are naturally linked to a potential trade for Jackson Jr.
However, the 2023 NBA Defensive Player of the Year winner won’t come cheap. The Lakers will likely have to part ways with Austin Reaves to intrigue the Grizzlies.
With that said, here’s what Bassett suggested to make this move a reality.
- LA Lakers receive: Jaren Jackson Jr.
- Memphis Grizzlies receive: Austin Reaves, Dalton Knecht, Maxi Kleber, 2031 first-round pick
Will the Lakers be better off after this move? Yes. But the Lakers could easily trade for someone like Andrew Wiggins without giving up Reaves.
So, that’s one thing to ponder for the Purple and Gold. On the other hand, the main issue with this trade lies with the Grizzlies, which is what 2x NBA champion Cedric Maxwell believes.
Sure, the Grizzlies were underwhelming in the 2024-25 season as they finished as the eighth seed in the Western Conference.
The Grizzlies’ 2025 postseason run also concluded quickly after suffering a 4-0 series defeat in the first round. Despite that, Maxwell believes that it’s not wise for the team to give up on Jackson Jr.
“Hell no. I’m not giving up Jaren Jackson Jr. That dude’s a beast. You think I’m giving him up for what? You got to give me some real players coming back to me,” Maxwell said on the Nightcap podcast.
He added: “That Jackson dude is too good to give up for nothing.”
Reaves may have averaged a career-high 20.2 points per game over 73 contests last season, but Maxwell is not convinced with him being the centerpiece of a potential deal that would send Jackson Jr. to the Lakers.
