Why Austin Reaves Isn’t Going Anywhere: The Lakers’ Rising Star and Untouchable Asset

Austin Reaves: The Lakers' Silent Superstar Who Isn’t Going Anywhere (At Least for Now)

Let’s get something out of the way real quick—Austin Reaves has officially arrived. What started as a feel-good underdog story has now turned into something much bigger. The 25-year-old Los Angeles Lakers guard, known for his hustle, shot-making, and fearless approach to big moments, has evolved from a promising role player into a borderline All-Star. And no, that’s not an overstatement.

📌 Key Stat Highlights from 2024 Regular Season:

• 20.2 points per game

• 5.8 assists per game

• Last 17 games: 24.9 points/game

• Shooting splits: 52.4% FG / 42.4% from 3

That’s not just impressive—it’s elite. Reaves turned it up late in the season when the Lakers desperately needed a push. That kind of end-of-season surge had fans and analysts buzzing, even floating his name around in All-Star conversations. No kidding—he was that good.

But let’s rewind to the postseason, and well... things didn’t quite go according to the script.

A Postseason Dip That Raised Eyebrows

Unfortunately, the playoffs were a different beast for Reaves. In the Lakers' first-round series against the Minnesota Timberwolves, he wasn’t the same electric scorer we saw just weeks earlier. His numbers dipped to 16.2 points per game, and his shooting took a noticeable hit—just 41.1% from the field and a rough 31.9% from beyond the arc.

Now, was that drop in production surprising? Maybe a little. But should it set off trade alarms? Not even close.

That didn't stop a segment of the fanbase from panicking, though. As social media debates started firing up, a few Lakers fans were already proposing wild trade scenarios, wondering if Reaves had peaked or if his contract made him expendable.

🗣️ “Is Austin Reaves Getting Traded?”

Let’s kill that rumor right now. According to Jovan Buha of The Athletic, the Lakers aren't even remotely interested in trading Austin Reaves. In fact, they view him as one of the foundational pieces of their future.

During a recent Q&A, Buha clarified it plainly:

“I think the possibility of him being traded is actually low, at least this summer... The Lakers do not want to trade Austin. That’s something I’ve continually heard for over 3 years now. The Lakers have a high bar for trading Austin, value him, and view him highly.”

It’s not just behind-the-scenes talk either. This is coming from the front office and coaching staff in broad daylight. General Manager Rob Pelinka publicly called Reaves a "pillar" of the organization during exit interviews. And JJ Redick—yes, the same Redick who shared the court and conversations with LeBron and Luka—mentioned how integral Austin was when talking about offensive dynamics.

So if you’re holding your breath for a trade involving Austin Reaves, well, maybe grab a snack. You might be waiting a long time.

💡 Why the Lakers Love Reaves (And You Should Too)

There’s a long list of reasons why the Lakers are hanging onto Reaves like he’s gold:

1. He’s wildly efficient: That late-season stretch where he dropped nearly 25 points per game? That wasn’t a fluke.

2. He’s cost-effective: Reaves is on a very team-friendly contract—about $14 million next season and $14.9 million the year after. For a guy putting up those numbers? That’s a bargain.

3. He relieves pressure from LeBron: While not a traditional point guard, Reaves has a knack for facilitating the offense. He takes a lot of burden off LeBron James, especially during non-Luka minutes.

4. He’s battle-tested: Despite a rough playoff run, Reaves has consistently stepped up in crunch time during the regular season.

Let’s be real—if another team wants to pry Reaves away, they’d better bring the farm, a future All-Star, and probably a couple of first-round picks. He’s not being moved for “60 cents on the dollar” like some fans have joked. That’s just not happening.

From Undrafted to Untouchable

It’s wild to think back and remember that Austin Reaves wasn’t even drafted. Yep, zero teams picked him up in the 2021 NBA Draft. He had to earn everything—the contract, the minutes, the trust of coaches and teammates. That’s the kind of story that endears a player to a city like L.A.

And now, he’s gone from being that guy who hustled on defense and hit clutch threes, to a legitimate core piece of the Lakers’ future. That’s why the front office is so hesitant to move him.

A year or two ago, calling Reaves "untouchable" might’ve sounded ridiculous. But now? It might be the most accurate label you can slap on him. He’s that valuable.

🚨 What’s Next for Reaves?

Looking ahead, Reaves has a player option for the 2026-27 season, but at this point, that’s lightyears away in NBA terms. What matters now is that he's evolving. If he can bounce back strong from his underwhelming playoff stint, expect him to push even further into stardom.

The Lakers are likely to continue building around him, especially considering LeBron’s future is uncertain and Anthony Davis can’t carry the entire offensive load every night. Reaves provides that perfect mix of grit, talent, and basketball IQ that makes him a unique weapon in today’s league.

Final Thoughts: Reaves Isn’t Just “Some Guy” Anymore

So here’s the bottom line—Austin Reaves isn’t just a role player you toss into a trade package. He’s not a bench spark plug anymore. He’s a legitimate building block, someone the Lakers believe in deeply.

Whether you’re a casual fan or you’re watching every game like it’s a playoff, you’ve probably noticed that this kid’s got something. And the Lakers? They’re holding on tight.

As for the trade rumors—ignore the noise. The Lakers aren’t listening, and neither should you.