The NBA rumor mill is buzzing with a potential shake-up in the Western Conference. The Utah Jazz have reportedly set their sights on Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves, who is in the midst of a career-best season. The financial complexities of keeping Reaves in Los Angeles are mounting, making this interest from Utah particularly intriguing.
According to NBA insider Eric Pincus, the Jazz are a serious contender for Reaves, and the interest seems mutual enough to possibly lead to a summer move. Utah, currently struggling with a 20-45 record and sitting 14th in the West, is looking to rebuild, and adding Reaves could be a pivotal step in that process. They are one of the few teams with the cap space to offer Reaves a substantial contract, but they might need to sweeten the deal, especially since the Lakers have already turned down about 20 offers for him.
Reaves is expected to decline his $14.9 million player option to explore unrestricted free agency. The Lakers, holding the 5th seed with a 39-25 record, face a tough decision. They must decide whether to commit a significant portion of their cap to a backcourt duo, with Luka Dončić already on the roster.
For the Jazz, who are in a rebuilding phase, Reaves could be a foundational piece alongside Lauri Markkanen. Meanwhile, the Lakers have been on the hunt for a reliable two-way wing to complement their offensive stars like LeBron James, Luka Dončić, and Reaves himself. Defense has been a missing piece in their puzzle.
One potential target for the Lakers is Herbert Jones from the New Orleans Pelicans. Despite a challenging offensive season, Jones remains a formidable defensive presence.
He finished fifth in Defensive Player of the Year voting just two seasons ago and earned All-Defensive First Team honors while shooting 40% from three. If he can recapture that form, Jones could be a valuable asset for the Lakers.
Jones, who earns about $22.5 million annually, might be seen as a buy-low opportunity for Los Angeles, especially if his offensive struggles are temporary. As the Lakers navigate their options, both Reaves and Jones represent intriguing possibilities for shaping their future roster.