Bill Simmons proposes blockbuster lose-lose trade for Golden State Warriors and major rival

After meeting in the second-round of the 2023 playoffs, things haven't quite gone according to plan for the Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Lakers so far this season.

Despite a recent five-game winning streak, the Warriors find themselves below .500 again at 15-16 and 11th in the Western Conference. Meanwhile, despite winning the inaugural NBA In-Season Tournament, LeBron James and the Lakers have stumbled somewhat to 17-15 and eighth in the West.

Given their respective struggles at this point of the season, the Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Lakers are expected to be active before the trade deadline

The Lakers completely revamped their roster at last season's trade deadline, leading to a resurgence that ultimately ended in a trip to the Conference Finals. More moves could be on the horizon this time around for the aggressive Rob Pelinka, while new Warrior General Manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. has already proven he's not immune to pulling a big move.

The pacific rivals haven't orchestrated a trade together since February 2014, but could the decade-long wait for another be only weeks away? On the most recent episode of his podcast, The Ringer's Bill Simmons has proposed a blockbuster deal that flips two big-name players from the respective teams.

Amid Draymond Green's indefinite suspension, Simmons believes the Warriors should move their four-time All-Star for Lakers guard Austin Reaves who will be trade-eligible as of January 15.

""In the next couple of weeks, you could conceivably make a Draymond Green for Austin Reaves trade. The Lakers, let's say they're around .500, do they talk themselves into that? Does Golden State have thrown in maybe (Moses) Moody? I just like the trade," Simmons said."

It's actually the Lakers who would have to thrown in another contract, with Green making $10.3 million more than Reaves this season. Regardless, while both players may hold similar value, the on-court fit of both means this might be a lose-lose proposal.

The Warriors lack size and rank only 14th in defense this season -- would they really want to give up Green for yet another guard? That seems unwise given Reaves would be behind Stephen Curry, Chris Paul and maybe even Brandin Podziemski as primary ball-handlers. Perhaps it makes more sense if the franchise moves on from Paul too, but even then it's hard to justify.

For the Lakers, they rank 28th in three-point attempts and 20th in three-point percentage. While the link between Green and LeBron James has been growing off the floor in recent years, the potential fit of that duo and Anthony Davis has always been questionable. Green and Davis would be the best defensive four and five combination in the league, yet the spacing issues may be too hard to overcome.

Given their recent five-game winning streak in Green's absence, Simmons now believes the Warriors should move on from the former Defensive Player of the Year. While that could make some sense, moving Green to LA for Reaves is a deal hardly worth pursuing.