Austin Reaves remains the Los Angeles Lakers’ most valuable trade chip this season.
If the franchise wants to make a big-time deal with an Eastern or Western Conference squad, they shouldn’t hesitate to make Reaves the featured asset to help a beneficial trade materialize.
After all, Reaves, who’s currently nursing a grade 2 left gastrocnemius strain, is performing at a phenomenally high level this season as the Lakers’ No. 2 scoring option.
Reaves is averaging 26.6 points, 6.3 assists, and 5.2 rebounds per game with Los Angeles in Year 5. According to the Stein Line’s Jake Fischer, the Lakers have made their stance clear on trading Reaves before the deadline.
“I don't think the Lakers are involved with Trae Young whatsoever," Fischer said before the Atlanta Hawks traded Young to the Washington Wizards. "And I don't think the Lakers have any interest in trading Austin Reaves either.”
The Lakers’ refusal to part with Reaves will limit their ability to maximize the rest of the trade season. It’s safe to say most, if not all, rebuilding franchises would love to start a new era of basketball with Reaves running the show nightly.
From the Lakers’ perspective, the storied organization would land a game-changing asset that could help it challenge the defending-champion Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference.
With Reaves likely remaining with the Lakers moving forward, it’s challenging to envision Los Angeles’ roster improving.
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