The Los Angeles Lakers are struggling to get into a rhythm this season. However another loss today just made matters worse for the team who are supposed to be NBA title contenders. There is no doubt that the team needs to rebuild before the February 8th NBA trade deadline.
With not much to offer the team is forced to turn their heads towards their protected stars; a sacrifice for the greater good. Recently, news broke out that reported the Lakers’ unsure stance on whether trading the young Austin Reaves would bring about any change.
Update on Austin Reaves trade
The Lakers are forced to play the cards they are dealt with. Once considered untouchable, the team is now pressured by their drastic situation to turn their eyes towards a potential trade that surrounds their young star, Austin Reaves.
Faced with a disappointing performance this season, the Lakers are actively exploring an in-season rebuild. However, their efforts are proving challenging as there is minimal market interest in Lakers players, making it difficult to execute trades for the struggling team.
With the skillset of Dejounte Murray on the line, the Hawks have cemented the fact that Reaves would have to be included in a deal for Murray, rightfully so. Lakers executive Rob Pelinka cannot offer any random player on the team’s roster. The values of players like D’Angelo Russell have depreciated far more deeply than precented and the said player’s contract will do more harm than good.
This season Reaves has been averaging 15.1 points per game and 5.2 assists. Fueling the duo of Lebron James and Anthony Davis, the 25-year-old has presented himself as a consistent third option. However, the Lakers don’t seem to think that trading away Reaves would do them any significant good.
According to sources, the Lakers are ‘reportedly unsure’ if trading Austin Reaves for Dejounte Murray would make noticeable improvements to the roster they already have. While the move brings in much-needed defense, it also takes away the very consistent shot creation of Reaves that the Lakers relied on.
LA Times reporter Dan Woike reports, “The Lakers, though, have shown no interest in trading Reaves despite some defensive regression this season, and even if they did flip him for Murray, there’s real skepticism that it would ‘move the needle’”
There is no doubt that the Lakers are lavishing over a potential Dejounte Murray inclusion but it seems like they don’t want it to happen at the cost of an Austin Reaves exit.
Lakers fans in splits over Austin Reaves trade
The rumors of Reaves’ potential trade from the team have driven a deep wedge between the Purple and Gold faithful. Fans took to Twitter to express their opinions on the trade, with some asking for a trade and others urging the Lakers that the player is an untouchable asset.
Through their tweets have expressed their support for Reaves but a vast majority of fans believe that Reaves needs to be the sacrificial lamb in the Dejounte Murray trade. Reacting to the rumored trade a user wrote, “Reaves should be untouchable”
Another user opted to trade the young star saying ,”He’s a liability on defense & he’s 26 without much room to improve he absolutely isn’t untouchable.”
Certain fans opted for Murray over Reaves commenting, “Most overrated player in the league. Give me Murray any day of the week over Reaves.”
Another fan said, “Reaves is cool but Murray is significantly better and this should be a no brainer.”
With fans in splits over the rumored trade, it’s all up to the Lakers front office if they want to trade Austin Reaves. It is no easy decision but the Lakers have to figure it out for this season. Regardless of the choice they make, the team will hope for success with whichever choice they opt to pursue.
Should the Lakers trade for Dejounte Murray using Austin Reaves? Can the Lakers land Murray without having to sacrifice Reaves? We would love to hear your thoughts on this rumored trade between the two teams so feel free to comment below.
