Lakers Insider Name-Drops $67 Million All-Star In Austin Reaves Trade Rumor

The Los Angeles Lakers aren’t willing to trade Austin Reaves, but NBA analysts still believe that he could end up on the trade block sooner or later. Reaves has an incredible fan base and he sure makes a difference on the basketball court. The franchise offered him a four-year deal worth $53.8 million last summer. Sources revealed that Lakers General Manager Rob Pelinka would never agree to trade Reaves.

Will this change in the near future? Jovan Buha from The Athletic believes that Reaves may leave the Lakers in an unexpected trade.

“The longer answer is more nuanced,” Buha wrote on January 26. “There are players the Lakers would include him in deals to acquire. If they could add a bona fide third star to complement [Lebron] James and [Anthony] Davis – Utah All-Star Lauri Markannen, for example – or multiple high-level starters in a bigger trade, they would consider moving Reaves.”

Analysts believe the Lakers could trade Reaves for a Jazz player

Buha wouldn’t bet on Atlanta Hawks star Dejounte Murray and Chicago Bulls players DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine.

fun fact: Lauri is currently shooting 49/39/87 on the season 🇫🇮🫡#Pura3Pointer | @pura pic.twitter.com/lvaEb4Sk6S

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) January 22, 2024

Markkanen delivered great performance in his first season with the Utah Jazz. He is the reigning Most Improved Player and also had his first All-Star appearance.

The 26-year-old averages 23.8 points on career-high64.2% shooting and 8.0 three-point shots per game.

The Jazz have a 23-23 record at this point of the season and the front office may part ways with the 7-foot player.

“Leading up to the G League Showcase, Utah’s Lauri Markkanen became the subject of trade speculation,” HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto wrote on December 22. “Following the event, there appears to be more of a consensus regarding his future.

“A majority of NBA executives who spoke with HoopsHype believe Markkanen will remain in Utah for several reasons: He wants to stay in Utah, the price tag for him is too high with his looming free agency, and he can renegotiate and extend his contract after the season. Multiple executives called the thought of Markkanen being traded ‘wishful thinking.’”