NBA Rumors: Lakers Would Consider Austin Reaves Trade 'For a Bona Fide All-Star'

The Los Angeles Lakers would have to be offered a star player in return to consider trading Austin Reaves this summer, according to The Athletic's Jovan Buha.

"I've heard the Lakers do not want to trade Austin Reaves. They love Austin Reaves. But, if there was a scenario in which they would consider trading him, it would have to be for a bona fide All-Star," Buha said on Monday's episode of Buha's Block.

Reaves is "going to be the player that every franchise asks for" this summer because his contract is more valuable compared to other potential trade assets like Rui Hachimura, Gabe Vincent, D'Angelo Russell and Jarred Vanderbilt, Buha said.

Reaves, who will turn 26 later this month, is signed on for an average salary of $13.5 million for two more seasons with a player option through 2026-27.

Buha named the Atlanta Hawks' Trae Young and Dejounte Murray, as well as the Cleveland Cavaliers' Donovan Mitchell, as players the Lakers could consider acquiring.

NBA insider Marc Stein reported last month that the Hawks were "likely" to trade either Young or Murray to shake up a disjointed roster, while the Cavaliers could feel pressure to move Mitchell if he doesn't extend a deal that could expire as soon as next offseason.

Even if these players are made available, however, the Lakers will be cautious in putting together a large offer for them in part because of the poor results of the 2021 Russell Westbrook trade, which Buha referred to as a "cautionary tale."

Still, Young, Murray or Mitchell could potentially slot in as a better fit with Lakers stars LeBron James and Anthony Davis, Buha noted.

"I think any of the guys that they are looking at are better players, and better fits, than Russell Westbrook, and would complement LeBron and AD better than Russ did," Buha said.

"I think if you have two guys at the level of LeBron and AD, two top-10, top-12 guys, and you bring in a guy who can complement them with a level of playmaking and shooting and passing and ball-handling ... that is where I think this group can really raise their ceiling."

After a slow start to the 2023-24 season, Reaves improved to average career highs with 32.1 minutes, 15.9 points, 5.5 assists and 4.3 rebounds per game.

He started all five playoff games for the Lakers, averaging 16.8 points per game before Los Angeles was eliminated by the Denver Nuggets for the second consecutive season.

A fourth consecutive year of postseason disappointment has already led to the firing of head coach Darvin Ham and will likely lead to roster turnover as well. Whether that turnover will involve Reaves could depend on how the trade market takes shape this offseason.