Mavericks could trade for rising Lakers guard

The Dallas Mavericks will certainly be in the market for guard depth this offseason. With Kyrie Irving slated to miss most — if not all of — next season, the Mavericks will look for a suitable replacement to play next to Anthony Davis, and the presumed first-overall pick Cooper Flagg.

A current Los Angeles Laker has come up in rumors as a potential trade candidate. No, that does not mean a Luka Dončić reunion. Bleacher Report’s Zach Buckley mentions Austin Reaves as an ideal target to land with the Mavericks. 

Buckley proposed a mock trade that is as follows:

Mavericks receive: Austin Reaves and Shake Milton 

Lakers receive: P.J. Washington and Dereck Lively 

Buckley notes Reaves potential as both a primary ballhandler with Irving out, and as a support player with Irving healthy.

“Even as a third option in L.A., he's already established himself as an efficient 20-point scorer while also putting a healthy amount of separation between his averages in assists (5.8) and turnovers (2.4),” Buckley wrote. “It's certainly possible his playmaking could elevate if utilized in a more featured role (even if only temporarily), and he'd have the added bonus of having established chemistry with Davis, due to their time together in L.A.”

Reaves has broken out into one of the most underrated players in the NBA in recent years. He has seen his averages jump across the board in each of his first four NBA seasons, and this past season averaged 20.2 points, 4.5 rebounds and 5.8 assists per game.  For a team in desperate need of guard help, Reaves could be a viable option for Dallas should he become available on the trade market.