Why the Lakers Should Stay Committed to Austin Reaves Despite the Desmond Bane Trade

Even after the recent trade of Luka Dončić, the Memphis Grizzlies surprising move to deal Desmond Bane caught everyone off guard. Few anticipated that Bane would be traded, especially for what the Orlando Magic offered in return: four first-round picks, a pick swap, and both Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Cole Anthony.

This deal illustrates how Memphis is pivoting, perhaps signaling their intention to rebuild. Bane, a skilled player, fills a long-standing gap for Orlando, a team in need of talent in a weak Eastern Conference.

While this trade might not shake up the Los Angeles Lakers directly, it sparked discussions on social media about Austin Reaves. Many speculated that if Bane could fetch such a haul, maybe the Lakers should consider trading Reaves for a comparable package.

However, the dynamics here are different. Bane is under contract through the 2028-29 season, while Reaves is effectively on an expiring contract, with a player option that he’s likely to opt out of for a better deal next summer. This difference means that if the Lakers were to trade Reaves, they wouldn’t receive a return close to what Memphis got for Bane.

Lakers President of Basketball Operations Rob Pelinka recently emphasized the team’s commitment to building around Reaves, LeBron James, and Luka Dončić. He stated, “The level of confidence in Austin Reaves is at an all-time high.” This suggests that trading Reaves is not high on the Lakers’ agenda. Instead, the Bane deal should encourage the Lakers to secure Reaves on a long-term contract.

Having Reaves signed for a lengthy period could result in either keeping a valuable player or creating a trade asset down the line. While Reaves shouldn’t be considered untouchable, trading him just for draft picks or a lateral move isn’t wise.

If the Lakers receive an offer for a superstar, it could make sense to listen. Still, the recent Bane trade indicates that holding onto Reaves is the more strategic path forward.

In the ever-changing landscape of the NBA, transactions like these highlight market trends and the varying values of players based on contract situations. For example, a study from the Sports Business Journal revealed that players on longer contracts typically have a greater trade value, which reinforces why the Lakers might hesitate to part with Reaves now.

Overall, the landscape of basketball is nuanced, and understanding these details is crucial for teams as they navigate trades and contracts.



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