Lakers Trade Rumors: Austin Reaves Unavailable; D'Angelo Russell Not 'Valuable' Chip

Los Angeles Lakers shooting guard Austin Reaves is not available for a trade, per Yahoo Sports' Jake Fischer. Fischer also reported that point guard D'Angelo Russell has not been viewed as a valuable trade piece around the league.

As Atlanta Hawks shooting guard Dejounte Murray has emerged as a player to look out for in a potential trade, the Lakers have made it known that they are not interested in parting ways with Reaves in a trade for Murray, according to Fischer.

"Los Angeles has continued to tell teams it doesn't want to part with Austin Reaves, sources said," Fischer wrote. "There does seem to be a pathway for a Murray-to-Los Angeles deal if the Lakers would be willing to include Reaves, sources said, although that would require the Hawks to send back more value for Los Angeles' liking."

As for Russell, his $17 million salary has kept him from being a piece worth much to organizations looking to deal with the Lakers.

"Around the league, D'Angelo Russell's $17 million salary has not been viewed as a valuable trade chip for the Lakers to bolster their roster behind LeBron James and Anthony Davis," Fischer wrote.

Russell is currently in the first year of a two-year, $36 million deal.

In his third season in the NBA, Reaves is averaging a career-high 15.1 points, 5.2 assists and 4.4 rebounds per game, mostly coming off the bench for the Lakers. He has proved to be a big part of the Lakers' core and was a huge asset in Los Angeles' Western Conference Finals run last season. Now, it seems the Lakers are counting on a big season from Reaves again.

For Russell, the ninth-year player is putting up 14.6 points and 6.1 rebounds per game. He began the season as a starter but was moved to the bench in favor of Jarred Vanderbilt a few weeks ago.

The Lakers are looking to make a mid-season push to ensure they reach the playoffs — they currently sit in ninth place in the Western Conference at 19-19. In order to make the jump, making some moves before the trade deadline could be Los Angeles' best option.