The Los Angeles Lakers want to continue building their team around LeBron James and Anthony Davis. But it appears that these two stars are not the only players the 17-time NBA champions are unwilling to trade.
Austin Reaves is also understood to be a player the franchise has no intention of negotating. According to Sam Amick of The Athletic, the Lakers had a chance to land Dejounte Murray in February if they gave Reaves in return.
The purple and gold, however, were not comfortable with giving up the 26-year-old, which is why the deal didnāt come into fruition. And it looks like Rob Pelinka is still not interested in trading Reaves:
āMurray, meanwhile, was a player that the Lakers could have had at the February trade deadline if theyād been willing to put Reaves into the deal. Heās a possibility now, as well, but league sources say the Lakersā stance on Reaves remains the same.ā
Austin Reaves in action for the Lakers.
Having joined the team as an undrafted free agent in 2021, Reaves blossomed into a key contributor in the Lakersā rotation, earning a four-year, $56 million contract extension in the summer of 2023.
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Austin Reaves believes Lakers need to bring help for Anthony Davis
Speaking with Lakers Nation, Reaves echoed JJ Redickās sentiment that the team has what it takes to challenge for the championship. Still, he believes the Lakers could benefit from adding a physical center to help Anthony Davis.
āThereās obviously room for improvement,ā he added. āI think that one thing I personally thought we couldāve had was a more physical 5, especially when you run into someone like Jokic. You ask AD to do so much on the offensive and defensive end and heās capable, but if youāre able to give him a little bit of a break guarding like a Jokic so he can be more focused in helpside defense and making it tougher when Jokic makes his first move, just seeing AD on the back line. Thatās tough to score over because heās such a good defender and then he can worry more about the offensive end.ā
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Not only LeBron James or Anthony Davis: The Lakers player JJ Redick can"t wait to coach
While LeBron James has yet to decide whether to opt into or decline his $51.4 million player option for next season, the Lakers are building their future around Anthony Davis, with the big man reportedly being heavily involved in the coaching search that led to JJ Redickās hire. And Austin Reaves also seems to be considered an important player by the front office.
