Multiple wings linked with Lakers trade rumors! Serious consequences after re-signing Reeves? The team might regress by a decade

On January 23rd Beijing time, Lakers insider Mike McMenamin spoke on a program about the team's reinforcement direction, naming five wing players.

"The Lakers' perimeter needs urgent improvement. Players such as Jonathan Kuminga might be pursued by the team. Andrew Wiggins from Miami is another possibility. Additionally, Keon Ellis from Sacramento, along with De'Andre Hunter and Payton Watson, are also on the shortlist. This potential recruitment list is quite extensive."

The Lakers currently face major issues with their perimeter defense, and they have been eager to upgrade their wings, but their assets are limited and at least not competitive compared to other rivals.

Moreover, former NBA star Gilbert Arenas spoke on a podcast about the soon-to-return Reeves. He believes the Lakers should not re-sign Reeves.

"Don't do this! We (the Lakers) aren’t that strong at all, so definitely don’t go that route. We’ve just pieced the roster together, and now a trade is necessary because the team’s athleticism needs a big boost," Arenas responded after LaShad McKants criticized the Lakers for losing consecutively to lower-ranked teams like the Kings and Hornets.

"To be frank, Austin Reeves is the Lakers' future lifeline, meaning he is a highly valuable asset that other teams would desperately want," Arenas further explained.

"In other words, if any team truly wants him, they must pay a price far beyond his trade value, which is exactly what we (the Lakers) hope for. Because if you (the Lakers) really offer him a $240 million contract, the team could end up regressing by a full decade."

"A massive contract combined with rebuilding pressure—remember, no team in the league would pay $240 million for a second option player. Players with contracts at that level usually have been All-Stars once or twice or made All-NBA teams. No one would trade such caliber players for Austin Reeves."

"I’m not exaggerating; I definitely wouldn’t trade Jaylen Brown for Reeves, nor Karl-Anthony Towns, right? Julius Randle is the same—there’s no way he’d be traded for Reeves."

So far this season, Reeves has appeared in 23 games for the Lakers, averaging 26.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 6.3 assists per game.