The February 8 trade deadline is fast approaching Bill Simmons has proposed a wild trade that involves rising Lakers star Austin Reaves and four-time Warriors champion Draymond Green.
One might ask why the Lakers would want to swap a budding, young star like Reaves for an older and much more violent player in Green, but Simmons explains why both teams may be interested in a trade such as this.
“Because in the next couple weeks you could conceivably make a Draymond Green for Austin Reaves trade,” Simmons explained on his podcast this week. “The Lakers, let’s say they’re around .500. They talk themselves into that? Does does Golden State have to throw in maybe [Moses] Moody to make that work?
“Do they have to add other contracts? I just like the trade. I’m not saying it’s going to happen. I’m not reporting it, but I just like the [trade], in theory. I don’t think Golden State needs Draymond. I think they should trade him, and I think it’s time for them to trade him.”
Golden State have gone 5-3 without Green in the lineup, as he looks to make a possible return to the court in January after being suspended indefinitely for hitting Suns big man Jusuf Nurkic.
In terms of salary matching, Green is in the first season of a four-year, $100 million contract, while Reaves has a $12 million salary this season, which is part of a four-year, $53.8 million contract.
The Lakers would have to part ways with other players, such as Rui Hachimura or Taurean Prince.
Simmons went on to explain that Green is wearing out his welcome in Golden State, and that a trade makes sense.
“I didn’t feel that way a couple weeks ago because I thought he [Green] was too important to [Steph] Curry offensively,” Simmons said. “But I actually think they should trade him at this point and just let him start fresh. Let them start fresh.
“But Draymond for Reaves, it’s pretty interesting. They [the Warriors] probably have to throw in something else, which tells you what’s happened to Draymond this season.”
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