The Los Angeles Lakers are once again at the center of trade buzz, and this time it involves a fan favorite and a bold proposal that could reshape the roster’s identity. NBA analyst Tom Haberstroh has floated a trade idea that’s turning heads - one that would send Austin Reaves out of L.A. in exchange for a defensive upgrade aimed at fixing the Lakers’ most glaring postseason weakness.
The core issue? Defense - or the lack of it.
Haberstroh argues that the Lakers, as currently constructed with Reaves, Luka Doncic, and LeBron James, simply don’t have the defensive chops to make a deep playoff run. Offensively, there’s no question the trio can light it up.
But the playoffs are a different beast - possessions slow down, matchups get tighter, and every defensive lapse gets magnified. That’s where the concerns start to stack up.
According to Haberstroh, the numbers aren’t kind. The trio of Doncic, James, and Reaves might be dynamic on offense, but they also rank among the league’s slowest defenders in terms of ground covered.
That’s not just a nitpick - it’s a red flag. The Lakers are already near the bottom of the league in both defensive rating and three-point shooting, and in a Western Conference loaded with elite wings and guards, that’s a recipe for a first-round exit.
So what’s the solution? Haberstroh proposes a trade with the New Orleans Pelicans that’s as gutsy as it is calculated.
The Lakers would receive Trey Murphy III and Herbert Jones, two young wings who bring exactly what L.A. needs - length, switchability, and defensive grit. In return, the Pelicans would get Reaves, Gabe Vincent, Maxi Kleber, and a top-four protected 2031 first-round pick.
It’s a move that could help both teams - but it’s not without its risks.
For the Lakers, moving Reaves would be a tough pill to swallow. He’s not just productive; he’s beloved by the fanbase and has developed strong chemistry with both LeBron and Doncic.
Since Doncic joined the team in February, the trio has logged 695 minutes together. While the offensive synergy is there, opponents have outscored the Lakers by 31 points during that span - a stat Haberstroh says is too significant to ignore.
The comparison he draws is a bold one: James Harden’s exit from Oklahoma City in 2012. Back then, the Thunder made the tough call to trade a rising star who didn’t quite fit their long-term vision.
Harden went on to become a superstar in Houston. Haberstroh sees a similar situation brewing with Reaves - a talented player who might be ready to break out, but perhaps not in his current role or system.
“There’s a superstar waiting to break out,” Haberstroh wrote. “But can he do it on the Lakers?
And should he?”
From a roster construction standpoint, Murphy and Jones are tailor-made for today’s NBA. Jones has already earned All-Defensive First Team honors, and Murphy brings reliable three-point shooting and excellent off-ball movement. Both would slot in seamlessly next to Doncic and James, giving the Lakers more lineup flexibility and the kind of defensive backbone that’s been missing.
“As we saw in Dallas, the Slovenian is maximized next to long defenders, rangy athletes and lob threats,” Haberstroh noted. “Enter Trey Murphy III and Herbert Jones.”
On the flip side, the trade also aligns with the Pelicans’ long-term vision. With young players like Jeremiah Fears and Derik Queen forming the foundation of their rebuild, adding a 27-year-old Reaves fits their timeline.
He’s young enough to grow with their core but experienced enough to contribute right away. Gabe Vincent and Maxi Kleber bring veteran depth, and the future first-round pick adds more value to their asset chest.
In the end, this is the kind of deal that tests a front office’s nerve. It’s not just about talent - it’s about fit, timing, and identity.
The Lakers have a window, but it’s not wide open forever. LeBron isn’t getting younger, and Doncic is in his prime.
If the Lakers want to maximize that pairing, they may need to make a move that’s uncomfortable in the short term to chase a bigger payoff in the spring.
Whether they pull the trigger or not, one thing’s clear: the Lakers can’t afford to stand pat. The numbers - and the eye test - say something has to give.