With about a week to go before this season’s trade deadline, NBA teams are starting to really jockey for position in order to make a deal that could improve their rosters.
It appears the Los Angeles Lakers have been one of the more aggressive teams in the league so far when it has come to trade talks. Of course, their main target is Atlanta Hawks guard Dejounte Murray, a former All-Star, but there are several other players they’re reportedly interested in.
The one main trade chip they have is D’Angelo Russell, whose name has repeatedly come up in trade rumors despite playing very well in January. However, fellow starting guard Austin Reaves seems to be a more attractive player on the trade market.
Unfortunately, the Lakers seem very reluctant to even consider trading Reaves unless they would get a bona fide star in return — and no, Murray wouldn’t be enough for them in that regard.
If they’re serious about improving their roster now and salvaging what could be their last shot to win another NBA championship with LeBron James, they need to ease their stance on Reaves.