Between Andrew Wiggins, Jeremy Sochan, and Keegan Murray, mock trades have sent a fair amount of defensive-minded wings to the Los Angeles Lakers. After the Lakers added Luka Doncic last season, surrounding him with defensive studs remains a priority.
The Lakers are clearly willing to trade Dalton Knecht, and for the right price, Austin Reaves could be on the table.
Reaves is one of the better scoring guards in the NBA and could very easily be the second or third-best player on a title team. In the last year of his contract, his value has never been higher. One recently proposed mock trade sends one of the best 3-and-D wings to the Lakers for a steep price.
Lakers Land Jaden McDaniels in Mock Trade
Jaden McDaniels is one of the very best perimeter defenders in the league and would thrive next to Doncic and LeBron James. Last season, he averaged a career-high 12.2 points to go with 5.7 rebounds and 2.2 “stocks” per game.
Even as a career 34.8% 3-point shooter, below average, McDaniels would command quite the market if the Minnesota Timberwolves were to make him available.
Reaves could be an excellent scoring option next to Anthony Edwards, Julius Randle, Donte DiVincenzo, and Naz Reid. The Wolves would see a drop in production on the defensive end, but it could be the move they need to make.
NBA writer Tom Ziller proposed a deal on September 24th that would swap Reaves and Jarred Vanderbilt for McDaniels and Joe Ingles.
He’s also probably a little redundant alongside Luka Doncic, and certainly redundant in lineups with both Luka and LeBron James,” Ziller wrote, justifying the deal.
A win-win trade between conference rivals, especially two that met in the playoffs the season prior, is rare, although it could work for both teams.
Why Mock Trade Works for Lakers and Wolves
On paper, the Timberwolves get the best player in this deal. After all, Reaves is a 20-point scorer who can play both guard positions, and would take some scoring pressure off Edwards. Of course, McDaniels is a much better defender.
The Lakers should be doing their best to mimic the success Doncic had with the Dallas Mavericks. In 2024, Dallas showed the league how to maximize Doncic. McDaniels would be an upgrade over PJ Washington.
To the Lakers‘ benefit, McDaniels is under contract for the next four seasons, locking down some stability. Reaves is expected to be the secondary scorer next to Doncic once James retires, although the Lakers usually have no trouble luring free agents.
The Wolves, should they make this trade, will have lost both McDaniels and Nickiel Alexander-Walker, two of their better defenders. However, Rudy Gobert would still be holding down the paint, and Randle, Edwards, and DiVincenzo are no slouches. This deal also makes Rob Dillingham or Terrance Shannon Jr. expendable.
Mock Trade Adds Perfect Defender to Lakers for Massive Price