Mar 29, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15) in the first half against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
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As the Los Angeles Lakers look ahead to the offseason, Austin Reaves’ days with the franchise could be numbered.

On the latest Buha’s Block, The Athletic’s Jovan Buha addressed trade speculation regarding the Lakers’ third-year guard. And while Buha noted that Los Angeles doesn’t actively want to trade Reaves, he did state that he could be available for the right price.

“I’ve heard the Lakers do not want to trade Austin Reaves. They love Austin Reaves,” Buha said. “But, if there was a scenario in which they would consider trading him, it would have to be for a bonafide All-Star.”

Considering his age, ability and contract, Buha said that Reaves is “going to be the player that every franchise asks for” in trade negotiations with the Lakers. To that end, it will be interesting to see which All-Star players potentially become available for the Lakers, with Donovan Mitchell and Jimmy Butler standing out as potential targets who would also qualify as “bonafide All-Stars.”

After going undrafted coming out of Oklahoma in 2021, Reaves has become a regular part of the Lakers’ rotation the last three seasons. Appearing in all 82 regular-season games during the 2023-24 campaign, the 25-year-old averaged career highs of 15.9 points, 5.5 assists and 4.3 rebounds in 32.1 minutes per game.

Following Buha’s reporting regarding a potential Reaves trade, many took to social media to weigh in.

[Buha’s Block]

About Ben Axelrod

Ben Axelrod is a veteran of the sports media landscape, having most recently worked for NBC's Cleveland affiliate, WKYC. Prior to his time in Cleveland, he covered Ohio State football and the Big Ten for outlets including Cox Media Group, Bleacher Report, Scout and Rivals.

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