Earlier this week, it was reported that the Los Angeles Lakers are not in the running for De’Aaron Fox. Jake Fischer of the Stein Line revealed that the reason behind this decision is fairly straightforward, as expected.
The issue isn’t that the Lakers don’t value Fox, but rather that his agent, Rich Paul, who has a close connection with LeBron James, is well aware that the Lakers won’t trade Austin Reaves. The Sacramento Kings, on the other hand, are very interested in acquiring Reaves.
“One of the key reasons why the Lakers aren’t a top destination for Fox: Klutch has in-depth knowledge of Lakers’ operations through its ties with LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Klutch is aware that the Lakers are firm in their stance of keeping Austin Reaves, who Sacramento sees as a key piece in any trade for Fox,” Fischer explained.
The Lakers have repeatedly stated that Reaves is not available in any trade scenarios. Since joining the Lakers as an undrafted rookie in 2021, Reaves quickly became a vital player, earning LeBron James’ trust, a rare feat for any player in the league.
Reaves has been playing exceptionally well this season, with many considering him the third-best player on the Lakers behind LeBron and Anthony Davis. His performance has exceeded expectations, with general manager Rob Pelinka predicting this breakout year. This is likely the reason why the Lakers also rejected trade talks involving Reaves for Zach LaVine earlier in the season.
Austin Reaves Represents the Lakers’ Future The Lakers view Austin Reaves as a cornerstone for the future. Despite not being drafted, Reaves has emerged as one of the team’s most essential players.
His ability to share ball-handling duties with LeBron James and gain the trust of veteran players like JJ Redick speaks volumes, especially considering Reaves’ relatively short NBA tenure of just four seasons.
Redick has praised Reaves for his growth but also pointed out some areas for improvement. Reaves acknowledged his mistakes but sees them as part of the learning process that comes with an expanded role on the team.
This season, Reaves has put up impressive stats: 18.2 points, 6.1 assists, 4.2 rebounds, 1.1 steals, and 0.1 blocks, with shooting splits of 44.6% from the field, 36.6% from three, and 83.4% from the free-throw line. His exceptional play has solidified his place as a crucial part of the Lakers’ lineup.
As his game continues to evolve, it’s possible that Reaves will earn an All-Star spot in the future as he reaches new heights in his career.
Rob Pelinka, the Lakers’ vice president of basketball operations and general manager, was recently seen at a press conference at the UCLA Health Training Center.
