Shannon Sharpe believes the LA Lakers could lose one of their key players and a vital asset soon.
After the LA Lakers lost the first round against the Minnesota Timberwolves, it was clear the team was a few big moves away from having a championship-contending roster.
Rob Pelinka revealed the offseason goal would be to add a big and they have since been linked with a few players.
However, the Purple and Gold lack the assets needed to trade for a big player.
Austin Reaves is one player that has improved every year since being in the NBA and this season he took the jump and became a 20 points per game scorer.
Reaves set a few Lakers record with his performances this season.
But Shannon Sharpe believes the Lakers could end up losing the services of Reaves because of his contract situation.
Reaves signed a four-year $54 million deal with the Lakers, despite the fact that he could have gotten more money elsewhere.
However, after proving he can be a reliable option, it is likely that teams might test Reaves’ loyalty once again by offering him a massive contract.
Sharpe believes that the 27-year-old would opt for a team that would pay him more as the Lakers could not offer him that.
“The Lakers can only pay him so much. You’re gonna go somewhere and get a big payday anyway. You ain’t trying to stay with the Lakers when you get $200 million, and they can’t give you that,” Sharpe said,
“Yeah, he has improved every single year; he’s a hell of a player.”
Reaves averaged 20 points and 5.8 assists for the Lakers in the regular season.
However, Sharpe stated the Lakers could not win anything with LeBron James, Luka Doncic and Reaves.
“But those three guys are not gonna win anything. Now, I’m not saying you gotta package him, but they need a big. He’s the only valuable piece that they have,” he added.
Reaves has leveled up in every category since coming into the NBA as an undrafted player.
Dan Woike of the LA Times revealed the Lakers would only trade Reaves if they could add a quality big to their roster.
His first extension helped the Lakers sign a couple more free agents, but it is unlikely Reaves will be on board with another team-friendly contract.
He is entering his prime and is one of the only tradeable assets they have on the roster.
James and Reaves have shared a great relationship throughout his stint in LA and the player has done more than what people expected from him.
With the likes of Naz Reid and Nikola Vucevic being the probable targets, the Lakers could be tempted to give away Reaves and although it will be tough to trade a player like him, the team needs a center in order to compete for championships.
