Some fans want the Los Angeles Lakers to trade guard Austin Reaves, perhaps for an athletic two-way player or a better backup center. Reaves is expected to opt out of his contract and become a free agent next summer, and while both sides would like to get a new deal done, it could make it very difficult to put together a championship supporting cast around him and Luka Doncic.
There is no indication that the Lakers are even considering trading Reaves anytime soon. Indeed, they have been very reluctant to include him in any trade discussions over the last year or two.
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According to Anthony Irwin of ClutchPoints, the Lakers will only consider trading him if he brings back a bona fide star.
“Seeing as LA could potentially lose Reaves for nothing, they’d be remiss not to consider trading him at some point this season, especially if it becomes clear he and Doncic’s athleticism concerns are too much to overcome in pursuit of a championship,” Irwin wrote.
“The Lakers quickly cut any talks for Reaves short this summer and would only consider trading him unless he was part of the package for a bona fide star. That won’t stop teams from asking about him this season and, if for any reason those questions about Reaves and Doncic linger, LA will have to take those requests more seriously.”
Reaves averaged 20.2 points and 5.8 assists a game while shooting 46% from the field and 37.7% from 3-point range last season. Those numbers climbed even higher after Doncic arrived in early February.
Irwin also wrote that, in anticipation of playing off the ball more than ever before, Reaves has been working on his catch-and-shoot abilities this summer. At the very least, that could lead to a bump in his shooting efficiency, even if this season does turn out to be his last with the Purple and Gold.
This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Insider on what it would take for Lakers to trade Austin Reaves