Report: Lakers Unwilling to Include Austin Reaves in Trade Package for Star Player

Lakers guard Austin Reaves may be too valuable to trade for Chicago Bulls All-Star Zach LaVine, but Lakers need to up the ante.

The Los Angeles Lakers seem to have a strong attachment to Austin Reaves, as they are hesitant to include him in a potential trade package for Chicago Bulls All-Star Zach LaVine. According to Jovan Buha of The Athletic, the Lakers are considering a deal that would involve D'Angelo Russell, along with either Rui Hachimura or Gabe Vincent, and a future first-round draft pick with potential protections.

Despite recent speculation linking the Lakers to LaVine, who has ties to Los Angeles due to his college attendance at UCLA, the Lakers are facing a dilemma with Reaves. The guard recently signed a four-year, $50 million deal with the team but has struggled with his efficiency and turnovers this season. Despite his solid overall numbers, the league appears to be catching onto Reaves' playing style, leading to his recent demotion to the bench in favor of Cam Reddish.

However, there are still compelling reasons to keep Reaves on the team. He excels in defense, driving to the basket, and scoring from all areas of the court, making him an ideal complementary player. Additionally, as a homegrown talent, Reaves has established strong chemistry with LeBron James, which holds significant value for the team.

The downside for the Lakers is that any trade package for LaVine without Reaves may not be convincing. Russell is seen as a negative asset when his shot isn't falling, while Hachimura and Vincent are considered bench players at best. Furthermore, a protected first-round draft pick nearly a decade in the future comes with a high level of uncertainty.

It is likely that the Bulls will seek better value for LaVine from other interested teams, meaning the Lakers will have to significantly improve their offer to avoid being dismissed by the Bulls' front office.

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