Might the Lakers entertain trade proposals for Austin Reaves? Seems hasty to jump to conclusions.
** Hey there! Let's dive into the latest Lakers news straight from the Marriott attached to Wintrust Arena, where the NBA's bigwigs are buzzing. Dan Woike, beat writer for the L.A. Times, is here – fresh off the hype of the NBA combine!
Lakers trade rumors: Let's talk about Austin Reaves
The buzz around town is all about whether or not the Lakers will trade Austin Reaves – a topic that has been heavily debated, particularly on media outlets and fan forums (shoutout Lakers reddit). Bill Plaschke from The Times weighed in, arguing that it's inevitable for the Lakers to trade Reaves to acquire a big man, while Bill Simmons predicted that Reaves will be traded this summer.
However, at the combine, no one's treatin' it like a done deal for a couple reasons. First off, the Lakers are enamored with Reaves and his transformative journey, as he's risen from an undrafted free agent to an All-Star caliber talent. He's also a steal at just $14 million next season, making him one of the league's most productive players per dollar.
Yeah, he struggled in the playoffs against bigger teams like Minnesota, particularly against Jaden McDaniels and Naz Reid in mismatches. And, his shooting wasn't on point during the series. But the scuttlebutt is that he's still recovering from a serious toe sprain (even though it's improving and surgery isn't expected) and he's proven himself in the Lakers' biggest games.
Second, if the Lakers want to trade Reaves for a center, they'll be seeking a cornerstone player – one who can be the foundation of the team, rather than just a short-term fix for their obvious need at center. If there were a top-tier center on the market, discussions might be different, but as of now, that luxury isn't available.
Now, Reaves' trade value may not match his actual value. He's eligible for a contract extension this summer, but the offer the Lakers can give is below market value. When he hits free agency in 2026, he'll be among the elite guards in the prime of their careers looking for a new team.
If another team wants to trade for Reaves, they're gonna need to pony up the cash to meet the Lakers' steep costs, all without a guarantee that he'll re-sign.
Reaves has some room for improvement this summer, particularly in terms of physicality and consistency as a catch-and-shoot player alongside Luka Doncic. But sources say he's got a fan in the Lakers' new superstar, and they believe he'll use this latest round of speculation as fuel to reach even greater heights.
So the reality is this: Reaves averaged 20.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 5.8 assists this season, making him one of the league's top performers. If the Lakers do trade him, it'll only be because they've been offered a ridiculously good deal. Not because they have to.
Tune of the week
"Jesus, Etc." by Wilco
I'm currently in Chicago, engulfed in a walking meme starring the Chicago Pope. One of the best moments? Merging this Wilco classic with a photoshopped version of the new Pope's face on the album cover. Solid stuff!
In case you missed it
- Plaschke: A painful truth, Lakers must trade Austin Reaves
- Gregg Popovich, the NBA's all-time coaching wins leader, steps down as the Spurs coach
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- The Lakers' trade discussions surrounding Austin Reaves have been a hot topic in California, particularly in Los Angeles, with various media outlets and sports forums debating his potential trade.
- If the Lakers were to trade Reaves, they would be seeking a cornerstone player, not just a short-term fix for their center position.
- Austin Reaves had an impressive season with the Lakers, averaging 20.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 5.8 assists, making him one of the league's top performers.
- Despite the trade rumors, the Lakers reportedly remain enamored with Reaves and his transformative journey from an undrafted free agent to an All-Star caliber talent.
