Lakers Trade Pitch Moves Austin Reaves for Recent No. 5 Pick After Comments

Players hear trade rumors, and that was the case for Austin Reaves of the Los Angeles Lakers. Reaves, who has flaws as a player, is ultimately somebody the Lakers would love to keep around. However, with their roster construction, it’s tough to justify keeping him on the roster if they could add a competent center or a wing who can defend at a high level.

Reaves has heard the trade rumors and recently spoke on them. According to Yahoo! Sports, he stated that he’s interested in staying in Los Angeles and loves playing for the Lakers.

“I think the sky’s the limit for us. We’re moving in the right direction. Obviously, adding Luka (Doncic), it gives you a hall of fame player such a young age that you can build around, and then obviously, still having Bron (Lebron James), the IQ, and still running around at forty years old, but I want to be in LA. I want to play my whole career in LA. 

“I love it there. I love the fans. Love the weather, love the golf. And obviously the Lakers is the best organization in basketball. (on trade rumors) I don’t pay attention to it. I keep my head down work, and I feel like that’s one of the reasons I’m where I’m at,” he said.

Could Reaves Be the Centerpiece of a Lakers Trade Package?

While those comments are excellent from Reaves and the Los Angeles Lakers will certainly hear them, if they find a player they want to trade for, it’s possible to suggest that the Lakers would pull the trigger. 

In a recent trade idea for Sports Illustrated, the Lakers would move on from Reaves in a deal for Jaden Ivey of the Detroit Pistons. Ivey only played in 30 games due to a gruesome fibula injury in his left leg, averaging 17.6 points and shooting 40.9% from 3-point range. 

“If the Pistons are looking to make a move next year and advance deeper into the playoffs, adding an offensive player like Reaves might be the way to go. Ivey would be a great return player in that trade.

Ivey is a good defensive player and still has a lot of potential on offense. He’s also incredibly young, so that could make things better for Los Angeles,” they wrote.

Would the Pistons Shake up Their Current Core?

The Detroit Pistons must feel confident heading into next season, especially with the numerous injuries in the Eastern Conference. Some have suggested that the team could look to make a deal, but according to a recent report, the Pistons aren’t expected to go all out in the offseason. 

Their general manager, Trajan Langdon, said he doesn’t believe the team will make any significant moves. For the Los Angeles Lakers and other teams, if they want Ivey, that isn’t ideal news. Perhaps Reaves could entice them, but it’d make more sense if they continue to grow with what they have.

“We’re not going to be super aggressive this summer, I don’t think,” Langdon said, per Hoops Rumors. “I don’t foresee any of that. It’s just developing from within and hopefully keep the guys we brought in last year.”

“I don’t think we want to be locked in and push our chips in,” Langdon said, per Sankofa. “… We want to keep that optionality … I think we will see growth from this year to next year and that’s what’s important for us.”

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