The Los Angeles Lakers have three great on-ball options through whom to run their offense, but NBA insider Tom Haberstroh believes that is one too many.
Haberstroh argued on Monday, December 22 that Los Angeles should deal Austin Reaves to the New Orleans Pelicans in return for two young and talented wing players who would suit Luka Doncic and fit the timeline of his prime, which the 26-year-old megastar may well play out in L.A.
“It’s time to trade Austin Reaves and truly build a title contender around Luka Doncic in a way that makes sense,” Haberstroh wrote. “The Pelicans have two wing players that would be ideal next to the Doncic Lakers. Enter Trey Murphy III and Herb Jones.”
Los Angeles Lakers Get Big Update on Luka Doncic’s Injury
Murphy, 25, averaged 21.2 points last season and has the exact same average through 27 games played in 2025. He is a career 38.1 percent shooter from behind the 3-point line on 6.3 attempts per game. Haberstroh added that Murphy is an “elite dunker,” which also suits the offensive needs of the Lakers alongside Doncic.
Jones, 27, is a top-line perimeter defender who also shoots the 3-point shot well, though on lower volume than Murphy. Analysts have connected Jones and the Lakers in trade discussions for weeks, though typically in a one-player package coming from the Pelicans to the Lakers and including matching salaries from L.A., along with a first-round pick in either 2031 or 2032 — the only first-round draft asset Los Angeles is currently allowed to trade based on league rules.
In his proposal, Haberstroh suggested the Lakers send Reaves, Gabe Vincent, Maxi Kleber and a 2031 first-round pick with a top-four protection to New Orleans in exchange for Muphy and Jones.
The central thesis to Haberstroh’s contention that this is a good trade for L.A. long-term is that Doncic, Reaves and LeBron James can’t truly co-exist together on a title-caliber team because their offensive skill sets overlap too much to provide for maximum efficiency, and they all struggle at this stage of their careers on the defensive end of the court.
“In their current forms, Doncic, James and Reaves represent three of the most offensively-skewed stars in the league,” Haberstroh wrote, adding that through 27 games (19-8 record), the trio of stars is -31 against all opponents combined when on the court together.
The argument against trading Reaves is that James will soon turn 41 years old and may not be back with the team next year. Reaves is having an All-Star season with averages of 27.8 points, 6.7 assists, 5.6 rebounds and 1.0 steals per night.
At 27, Reaves has proven he can be a true No. 2 offensive option alongside Doncic and can cover the primary creator duties during all the minutes Doncic is off the floor due to rest. James’ presence may not even be a factor following this season, while Reaves will be a free agent in March.
To get a deal done, the Pelicans probably have to know that Reaves is willing to re-sign in New Orleans, though there is nothing they can do to stop him from testing the market. Thus, even if the Pelicans offer Reaves the maximum salary/years for which he is eligible, other teams in bigger markets with better rosters can match that deal.
Lakers Announce Surprise Bronny James Decision After Luka Doncic Injury Update
Read the full article here
