NBA Trade Rumors: Lakers Acquire Michael Porter Jr. and 3 Others as Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura's Part Ways in Blockbuster Mock Deal

With the NBA trade deadline fast approaching, mock deals are popping up left and right, with the latest involving Michael Porter Jr. going to the LA Lakers. Two of the areas the Lakers need to address are their defense and 3-point shooting, with MPJ being known for the latter.

Jeje Gomez of SB Nation's Pounding The Rock shared a blockbuster trade idea involving the Lakers, Brooklyn Nets and Orlando Magic. MPJ and three other players are heading to Hollywood, while Austin Reaves moves to Florida, and the Nets get a ton of players, plus three first-round picks.

Here's the complete mock trade proposal:

Lakers get: Michael Porter Jr., Noah Clowney, Cam Thomas and Nic Claxton from Brooklyn

Explore the NBA Draft 2024 with our free NBA Mock Draft Simulator & be the GM of your favorite NBA team.

Nets get: Rui Hachimura, Jarred Vanderbilt, Gabe Vincent, Maxi Kleber, Dalton Knecht and a first-round pick from LA, and Jett Howard, Jonathan Isaac and two first-round picks from Orlando

Magic get: Austin Reaves and Jaxson Hayes

It's a huge win for the LA Lakers since Michael Porter Jr. helps their 3-point shooting woes, Nic Claxton brings defense, Cam Thomas replaces Austin Reaves and Noah Clowney has been having a breakout campaign.

The Nets would benefit from the first-round picks, but they likely could get more from a different package. Claxton, Clowney and MPJ are having the best seasons of their careers, while injuries have hampered Thomas.

As for the Magic, Reaves creates a logjam in the backcourt since Jalen Suggs, Anthony Black and Desmond Bane are all playing well this season. They also don't need a scorer since their biggest flaws are their 3-point shooting and interior defense.

Nevertheless, Jeje Gomez did say that this trade idea is an "abomination" and was done as a joke. The Lakers are rumored to be interested in Herb Jones of the New Orleans Pelicans, while the Magic and Nets have not been linked to any specific players.

---

Michael Porter Jr. receiving interest in trade market

Sean Deveney of Heavy reported that Michael Porter Jr. is finally getting some interest in the trade market. Some teams are "engaging" the Brooklyn Nets, though there is still concern about his defense and durability.

"I think they've gotten to a place where teams are engaging on him," a general manager told Deveney. "Teams have some interest, so there is still the hope that something can get done there. ... Because you still worry about the defense, you still worry about the health, he's been healthy, but it is still in the back of everyone's minds."

MPJ is averaging 25.7 points, 7.3 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game this season, with shooting splits of 49/40/82.

Edited by Juan Paolo David