If the Los Angeles Lakers want to make another massive move during the offseason, it could require them to move on from Austin Reaves, a shooting guard who has proven to be a very good player in Los Angeles.
Unfortunately, the Lakers don’t have many assets outside of Reaves, making him one of the top trade chips not only on the team but in the entire NBA.
After performing at a below-average level against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the Lakers’ first-round Series in the Western Conference playoffs, being eliminated in five games, some have questioned if the Lakers could move on from him.
However, according to a report from Dan Woike of the Los Angeles Times, people around the organization love Reaves and don’t expect him to be traded.
“One, the Lakers and the most important people in the organization all love Reaves and his journey from undrafted free agent to a talent that people think is All-Star caliber. And, at just $14 million next season, he’ll be one of the most productive players in the league per dollar minus some superstars on the very early stages of their rookie deals…
“Yet according to people with knowledge of the situation, Reaves is still recovering from a serious toe sprain (though it’s improving and not expected to require surgery). And it’s not like the big moments have always brought out the worst of him as he helped build his reputation in the organization with the way he played in the Lakers’ biggest games,” he wrote.
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Moving on from Reaves could be a bit premature. Despite some of his struggles in the first round, he’s typically been an above-average player, evident by his 20.2 points per game and 37.7% shooting from three-point range last season.
Unless the Lakers get a clear upgrade, they need to be smart with the 26-year-old.
