The Los Angeles Lakers remain hesitant to trade Austin Reaves, signaling they would only consider moving him for a major superstar upgrade. NBA reporter Jovan Buha revealed on his recent podcast that the Lakers repeatedly declined opportunities to include Reaves in deals for high-profile players.
"The Lakers could have had Kyrie Irving if they were willing to give up Austin, and they said no. They kept Austin out of the Luka Doncic trade talks," Buha stated. He added that the team also passed on potential trades for Dejounte Murray, Zach LaVine, De'Aaron Fox, and Trae Young to retain Reaves.
Explaining the reluctance, Buha noted that the Lakers would struggle to replace Reaves' ball-handling and playmaking skills, which are essential to support the team's core rotation. Reaves, 26, signed a four-year, $180 million contract with the Lakers this summer after declining his $14.9 million player option.
Last season, he averaged career highs of 23.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 5.5 assists across 51 games. Before finalizing his deal, Reaves drew significant interest from teams like the Detroit Pistons, but ultimately chose to remain in Los Angeles.
The front office views Reaves as a cornerstone piece for the future. His versatility on the court allows him to play both guard positions, making him a valuable asset in modern basketball schemes.
The Lakers' management believes that his chemistry with the existing roster is worth more than the potential return in a trade market. Analysts suggest that while the price tag for Reaves is currently set at a "superstar level," the team might re-evaluate if the current roster fails to meet expectations in the upcoming playoffs.
For now, however, the organization is committed to building around his unique skill set. The decision to keep Reaves reflects a broader strategy by the Lakers to prioritize long-term stability over short-term fixes.
By securing him on a long-term deal, the franchise has ensured that they have a reliable playmaker who understands the team's culture and tactical requirements. As the new season approaches, fans and critics alike will be watching to see if Reaves can elevate his game even further.
His performance will be a key indicator of whether the Lakers' decision to reject high-profile trade offers was the right move for their championship aspirations. The NBA trade market remains volatile, but the Lakers have made their stance clear.
Unless a generational talent becomes available, Austin Reaves will continue to wear the purple and gold jersey for the foreseeable future. Ultimately, the Lakers are betting on internal growth.
With Reaves locked in, the team hopes to maintain its competitive edge in the Western Conference while avoiding the pitfalls of frequent roster turnover.