Report: Lakers Don’t Want To Trade Austin Reaves

According to NBA insider Jovan Buha of The Athletic, the Los Angeles Lakers don’t want to trade Austin Reaves. 

The Lakers would need a “bonafide All-Star” in return for Reaves.

“I’ve heard the Lakers do not want to trade Austin Reaves,” Buha said on his podcast. “They love Austin Reaves. But, if there was a scenario in which they would consider trading him, it would have to be for a bonafide All-Star, an All-NBA caliber guy.”

Reaves averaged 15.9 points, 4.3 rebounds and 5.5 assists for the Lakers this season while shooting 48.6% from the field, 36.7% from beyond the arc and 85.3% from the free-throw line. He played in all 82 games. 

The Lakers went 47-35 in the regular season. They lost to the Denver Nuggets in the first round of the 2024 playoffs in five games.

Reaves averaged 16.8 points, 3.8 rebounds and 3.6 assists in the Lakers-Nuggets series while shooting 47.6% overall, 26.9% from 3 and 89.5% from the foul line. 

Los Angeles signed Reaves to a four-year, $53 million contract last July in restricted free agency. The guard will make $12.9 million next season. 

The 25-year-old Reaves has career averages of 12.4 points, 3.6 rebounds and 3.7 assists. LeBron James and Anthony Davis are big fans of Reaves’ game, sources told Hoops Wire. 

According to NBA insider Jason Lloyd of The Athletic, the Lakers will try to acquire Donovan Mitchell if he doesn’t sign an extension with the Cleveland Cavaliers this offseason. The Cavaliers could ask for Reaves. 

The Lakers need a new head coach after firing Darvin Ham. According to Buha and Shams Charania, JJ Redick, James Borrego and Sam Cassell have emerged as the early top targets for the Lakers. 

David Adelman, Micah Nori and Chris Quinn are expected to be among the other candidates. 

LeBron has a player option for next season. The NBA legend is expected to remain with the Lakers.