Shannon Sharp urges Lakers to trade Austin Reeves to facilitate strengthening the lineup to compete for the championship

According to an article written by F/W reporter Sidante Gupta. Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reeves has attracted a lot of attention in the trading market due to the possibility of leaving in the offseason. In addressing this, Shannon Sharp admitted in a recent episode of “Nightcap” how the Lakers need to trade defenders to compete for the championship. He said: "The Lakers can only pay him that much. You'll go somewhere and get a good reward anyway. When you get $200 million, you won't want to stay with the Lakers, they can't give you this." Sharp admitted that if he decides to jump out of the contract, the defender may have potential contract requirements next summer. But Sharp did not disrespect Reeves as a player, adding, “Yes, he’s improving every year; he’s an elite player.”

However, the 56-year-old has a very clear attitude towards the situation. "But those three guys won't win anything. Now, I'm not saying you have to pack him, but they need a (traditional) big guy. He's the only valuable part of them," Sharp said and acknowledged that there was a pretty pressing issue in the Lakers fan base. While fans have been supporting Reeves’ development and have connected with the 27-year-old during his promotion process, it’s clear that the Purple Gold Corps may need to trade him.

Next season will be the third of a four-year, $53.8 million contract Reeves signed with the team. Considering that he earns about $14 million next season, it’s clear that his actual value is seriously underestimated. Reeves' grades exceeded his salary level. The defender averaged 20.2 points, 4.5 rebounds and 5.8 assists per game, looking like the Lakers’ third star more than once.

However, if the 27-year-old decides to try the waters of free agents, the Lakers may not have the upper limit to keep him at all. With a potential demand of $30 million a year, the Purple Gold Legion will face a situation immediately where they may have to let him go and get nothing. As a result, management finds itself in trouble. Given his current value in the market, Reeves can help the Lakers make many big deals. Especially given that the team needs a big man, any trade scheme involving defenders will allow the Purple Gold Legion to acquire a quality center to help their career.

While there is no real progress in this matter, Reeves's agent said something unexpected is happening. Given that LeBron James may choose to return next season, the Lakers will seek to create a squad to compete for the championship immediately. This allows the management to ignore James' final peak time and make timely supplements to his future partner Doncic's inside line. As Sharp mentioned, as long as the Lakers want to get a qualified center player, the most precious asset, Rivers, will definitely become a regular customer of trading chips.

Do you think Rivers will be traded by the Lakers this summer?