Austin Reaves Emerges as Near-Untouchable Asset for Los Angeles Lakers Ahead of NBA Trade Deadline

As the Los Angeles Lakers actively seek improvements to address a struggling roster before the NBA trade deadline, surprising revelations suggest that LeBron James and Anthony Davis may not be the only untouchable players on the team.

Amidst a challenging first half of the season, with the Lakers currently underperforming and vying for a spot in the NBA Play-In, there is optimism that the team can turn its fortunes around, much like they did last season under the strategic management of General Manager Rob Pelinka.

While the focus has often been on potential additions to the roster, such as Dejounte Murray and Zach LaVine, a recent report from The Athletic’s Lakers reporter Jovan Buha sheds light on a player considered nearly untouchable by the Lakers: Austin Reaves.

Although not officially labeled as “untouchable,” Reaves is deemed as close to it as any player other than James and Davis. According to Buha, the Lakers highly value Reaves and have no interest in trading him. Reaves is currently on a cost-controlled, team-friendly deal for at least two more seasons. To consider moving Reaves, the Lakers would reportedly require either a clear-cut All-Star—someone surpassing the caliber of Murray or LaVine—or multiple rotation upgrades.

Despite Reaves’ struggles in the current season following a breakout performance in 2022-23, where he showcased an impressive stat line, including 15.0 PPG, 4.2 RPG, and 5.2 APG, the Lakers management remains committed to the young player. While Reaves has faced challenges on both ends of the court, including defensive lapses, the organization values his potential and sees him as a valuable asset for the team’s future success.

As the trade deadline approaches, all eyes will be on the Lakers and their approach to potential roster changes, with Reaves emerging as a notable figure in the team’s future plans.