Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves has been previously regarded as off-limits when it comes to trade rumors, but the situation is more nuanced than that.
Reaves, at 25 years old, is a promising talent in just his third season with the Lakers, and he’s under a four-year, $53.8 million contract. He has demonstrated versatility in various roles on the team and even garnered favor from Lakers owner Jeanie Buss. However, the Lakers wouldn’t categorically rule out trading Reaves.
According to The Athletic’s Jovan Buha, the Lakers would consider including Reaves in potential deals if it meant acquiring a legitimate third star to complement LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Players like Utah All-Star Lauri Markkanen might be on the table or multiple high-level starters in a larger trade scenario.
However, it’s worth noting that Atlanta Hawks star Dejounte Murray doesn’t fit the criteria for such a trade, according to Buha. Similarly, players like DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine of the Chicago Bulls and others in a similar caliber are not part of the discussion.
Lauri Markkanen, 26, is currently the reigning Most Improved Player, fresh off his first All-Star season with the Utah Jazz. He started his career with the Chicago Bulls, who traded him to the Cleveland Cavaliers, and then Cleveland traded him to Utah before the 2022-23 season.
Markkanen, standing at 7 feet tall, is averaging an impressive 23.8 points with a career-high 64.2% true shooting percentage. He’s also shooting at a career-high 39.4% from beyond the arc, making 8.0 threes per game. He’s currently in the third year of a four-year, $67.5 million contract. While the second year of his contract is only partially guaranteed for the 2024-25 season, the Jazz, with a 23-23 record this season, have been involved in trade talks regarding Markkanen.
However, prying Markkanen away from Utah could be a formidable challenge due to several factors. Many NBA executives believe that he wants to remain with the Jazz, his price tag in terms of impending free agency is high, and he has the option to renegotiate and extend his contract after the season.
Furthermore, the Lakers face constraints when it comes to readily available draft capital, as their future first-round picks carry significant value given the age of their 39-year-old star, LeBron James.
In conclusion, while the Lakers may have some interest in players like Lauri Markkanen, the likelihood of such a trade occurring appears to be slim, given Markkanen’s value, desire to stay in Utah, and the challenging logistics involved in making such a deal happen. The Lakers also face limitations in terms of other trade options, making their pursuit of a significant trade a complex endeavor.
