Lakers Trade Buzz: LeBron James' friend urges Lakers to trade Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura and prioritize $215M star

LeBron James' friend, Cuffs The Legend, took to social media on Tuesday to call for major changes to the Lakers' roster, including the surprise suggestion of trading Austin Reaves. Cuffs’ remarks came following the Lakers' recent 122-110 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers at home, which was also the franchise's first game after trading D’Angelo Russell.

Cuffs outlined three key moves he believes the Lakers need to make to contend for an NBA championship. First, he urged the team to trade Austin Reaves, citing his defensive shortcomings as a liability.

Second, he emphasized the need for the franchise to acquire a reliable center to complement Anthony Davis. Finally, Cuffs proposed the idea of creating a trade package centered around Rui Hachimura and other assets to secure a proven scorer, such as Brandon Ingram or Zach LaVine.

In addition, Cuffs voiced his approval of the Lakers' recent acquisitions, Dorian Finney-Smith and Shake Milton, who joined the team as part of the Russell trade, praising their potential contributions to the roster.

"1. I love Austin Reaves but he’s food defensively against elite backcourts. Gotta move those puppies," Cuffs tweeted. "2. Make the trade and go get a fuckin CENTER!

"3. You can flip Rui and finesse somebody for a premium scorer (BI, Zach). 4. Shake Milton was born to be a Laker. 5. DFS is the perfect 3&D chess piece. MAKE THE TRADE GET THE PARADE."

Reaves and Hachimura have been excellent this season

Both Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura have been standout contributors for the Lakers this season, despite the occasional underwhelming performance. While the duo does have certain defensive limitations, they have consistently delivered on the offensive end.

Reaves, in particular, has been exceptional, especially in recent games. With his usage rate increasing significantly, the young guard has risen to the challenge, posting career highs in points (18.3) and assists (5.7) per game. Additionally, his late-game execution has been a critical asset for the Lakers.

Hachimura, although he struggled in the recent matchup against the Cavaliers, has been a revelation for the team this season. His 3-point shooting has been a major boost, as he’s connecting at an impressive 43.8% on 3.6 attempts per game, providing crucial floor spacing.

Trading Reaves or Hachimura for a player like Zach LaVine, who is currently on a five-year, $215 million contract and is not known for his defensive prowess, could be a significant risk. This is especially true given the challenge of making the salaries align in a potential trade and the fact that Reaves and Hachimura are already delivering consistent value to the Lakers' roster.