Overview
- On the Game Over podcast, Max Kellerman said the Lakers should give serious consideration to moving Luka Doncic, arguing their best player must commit to team defense.
- Kellerman cited perceived redundancy with Austin Reaves and claimed a Doncic deal could return far more value than trading Reaves, framing it as a way to rebalance the roster.
- The comments followed weeks of scrutiny over Los Angeles’ slide from an 18–6 start to a 22–19 record, including a 4–13 stretch and a defense ranked 24th by rating.
- Reaction has been swift, with Reaves’ agent confronting Rich Paul over earlier trade chatter and LeBron James publicly noting that Paul’s views are his own.
- Lakers GM Rob Pelinka dismissed the trade talk, calling Doncic the team’s anchor with improving defense, while outside suggestions about targets like Jaren Jackson Jr. or Myles Turner remain speculative.