Okay, if the Sacramento Kings can convince the Lakers to part ways with Austin Reaves, they should do so. But unless Nico Harrison has become the general manager in Los Angeles, that isn't happening. What the Kings should be doing is talking to the Lakers about Jake LaRavia.
It wasn't that long ago that LaRavia was a member of the Kings' roster. He was drafted by the Timberwolves in 2022, but his rights were traded to the Grizzlies. Just before the trade deadline last season, he was part of a three-team deal that sent him to Sacramento.
The problem the Kings encountered was the limits of the contract they inherited from the Grizzlies. Memphis declined his fourth-year option before the trade, creating a restriction on how much the Kings could offer him when his contract was up. Essentially, the Lakers outbid them for his services.
That was a year ago. Since then, LaRavia has played great ball for the Lakers, finding himself a spot on a roster headed up by Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, and LeBron James. That being said, Los Angeles have their sights set on some more power at center, and the Kings are looking to trade.
Sacramento would happily welcome Jake LaRavia back
The Kings have made it pretty clear that they want to move on from Domantas Sabonis. He doesn't fit the new direction of the team, and his contract is massive. What he can do is score, rebound, and generate offense, which is something the Lakers need out of their starting center.
Los Angeles has that to an extent with their current centers, but not to the level Sabonis plays at. He would be an interesting fit alongside Doncic and Reaves. Plus, the Kings would be ready to bring LaRavia back without question. They didn't want to lose him, but the front office was stuck.
LaRavia is a talented small forward with a solid set of defensive skills as well as being a reasonably efficient scorer, particularly from three. Consistency is an issue for him, but playing on the Kings would actually get him more regular rotation minutes since he isn't a guard.
Naturally, the trade would have to be bigger than just LaRavia for Sabonis. The Lakers would likely have to include players like Jaxson Hayes and possibly even Rui Hachimura. A reliable young center, a solid power forward, and a talented small forward could do a lot to balance the Kings' roster.