1 for 1! Lakers lock in Gafford! Reeves may become a trade chip

Reeves is once again involved in trading rumors. Los Angeles Times reporter Dan Woike reported that the Lakers will not trade Austin Reeves unless they can be exchanged for the top NBA inside. The Lakers' targets are Clarkston of the Nets and Gafford of the Mavericks, but whether the Nets and Mavericks are interested in Reeves is unknown.

According to NBA famous reporter Marc Stein, since Irving won't come back until January 2026, the Mavericks hope to introduce a starting point guard. The Mavericks' new goal is Ball, not Reeves. Brother Qiu’s contract has two years and $20 million left, and it will expire in the summer of 2027. If you keep healthy, it will be cost-effective.

Reeves' contract is $54 million for four years, and it also expires in the summer of 2027. He can break out of the contract in the summer of 2026. Judging from Reeves' performance, he will definitely try the free market in the offseason next year, and it will be no problem to get a contract with an average salary of 30 million. Even if the Mavericks get the trade, they may not be able to keep him!

If you compare Reeves and Coloss' current data, Reeves is obviously better. During Irving's injury, Reeves can play the No. 1 starting position. When Irving returns from injury, Reeves can also play with the substitute lineup. Reeves has an annual salary of $14 million next season, and it is difficult to find a more cost-effective defender in the entire league.

This season's regular season, Reeves played 73 regular season games, averaged 34.9 minutes per game, scored 20.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, 5.8 assists, 1.1 steals and 2.4 turnovers, with three shooting percentages: 46%, 37.7%, 87.7%. The total number of three-pointers was 200, ranking 20th in the league; the average plus or negative value per game was +2.7, ranking 64th in the league.

In the playoffs, Reeves averaged 39.2 minutes per game, scoring 16.2 points, 5.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 0.2 steals and 2.8 turnovers, with three shooting percentages: 41.1%, 31.9%, and 85.7%. The real shooting percentage of the regular season was 61.6%, and the playoffs fell to 53.2%. Facing the high-intensity defense, Reeves is indeed a little overwhelmed. After joining the franchise, the Mavericks' insiders were a little crowded. The Lakers have been coveting Gafford for a day or two. Gafford's current contract for three years and $40 million will expire in the summer of 2026, and next season will be the contract year. Gafford is facing the issue of renewal, and he hopes that his next contract will be treated consistent with the NBA starting center.

The Mavericks will renew Owen this summer, and the Mavericks will renew Levley in advance next summer, which is difficult to satisfy Gafford. This season's regular season, Gafford averaged 21.5 minutes per game, scoring 12.3 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 0.4 steals, 1.8 blocks and 1.1 turnovers, with a shooting percentage of 70.2% and a free throw percentage of 68.9%.

ESPN recently made a trading simulation: the Lakers gave Hachimura Koba + 1 first round pick, and the transaction was obtained from Gafford. Now the Mavericks have won the No. 1 pick, Flag is about to join, and the Mavericks don't need a forward line anymore. Gafford will have a salary of $14.37 million next season, and Reeves will have a salary of $13.94 million next season, which is almost the same!

Finally welcome discussion: Do you think the Lakers should trade Reeves for Gafford?