It’s well-documented that Alex Len and Jaxson Hayes shouldn’t headline the Los Angeles Lakers’ frontcourt in 2025-26.
While there are plenty of big man assets the Lakers could turn their attention to this summer, Lake Show Life’s Svyatoslav Rovenchuk believes that completing a four-team, Austin Reaves-centered trade for a three-time All-Star is the correct way to approach free agency.
“If the Lakers are going to pursue a top-heavy, three-star build then slotting in (Bam) Adebayo in favor of Reaves makes a lot more sense,” Rovenchuk wrote last Friday. “The Heat center offers a much more complimentary skill set to Luka Doncic and LeBron James.”
Rovenchuk’s blockbuster trade proposal sends Adebayo to the Lakers, Kristaps Porzingis and Cameron Johnson to the Heat, Keldon Johnson and the 26th overall pick in the 2025 NBA draft (via Brooklyn Nets) to the Boston Celtics, and Reaves, Duncan Robinson, Gabe Vincent, Maxi Kleber, and a 2031 unprotected first-round pick (via Lakers) to the Nets.
Adebayo may not receive the respect he deserves, but there’s no question he’s among the most skilled big men in the league.
Although the Kentucky product’s long-range jumper leaves much to be desired, his dynamic face-up and back-to-the-basket game, combined with his exceptional screening and rolling ability in ball-screen situations, allow him to be productive on the offensive end.
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Defensively, Adebayo has earned a positive reputation as a physical defender capable of guarding agile perimeter-oriented players.
The 27-year-old superstar averaged 18.1 points and 9.6 rebounds per game with the Heat this season, drilling 48.5% of his field goals in 78 regular-season contests.
While Adebayo isn’t the cheapest frontcourt contributor the Lakers could target (he signed a three-year, $165 million contract with the Heat in 2024), he could be worth a look if Los Angeles elects not to move forward with a disappointing playoff performer in Reaves.
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