In spite of the Los Angeles Lakers’ 10-8 record, trade speculations have persisted.
Since last season, they have made significant changes to their strategy for enhancing the roster. Before the trade deadline even came up, they were already aggressively adding players to the squad. They are anticipated to adopt a fresh strategy with a specific objective this year, though.
Acting rashly can end up costing a pretty penny.
“I expect [the Lakers] to express interest in Zach LaVine,” stated Shams Charania of The Athletic on November 28th’s “Run It Back” on FanDuel TV. “Teams will ask about Austin Reaves, without a doubt, if the Lakers are trying to acquire a third star, be it Zach LaVine or anyone else who becomes available.”
According to Charania, “any team would covet Austin Reaves in any potential Zach LaVine trade.” This includes the Bulls.
It has long been speculated that the Lakers would be interested in LaVine. Originally from the West Coast, LaVine now resides in Los Angeles during the offseason; he was an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2022 when this most recent relationship was established.
Shams Charania Wants the Lakers to Take a “Prudent Approach”
Without ever visiting another team, the two-time All-Star returned to the Bulls on a five-year, $215 million deal, but nothing came of it. However, after a dismal 5-14 start, the Bulls will be looking into all of their options in the second year of the pact.
The 28-year-old LaVine has had a sluggish start to the season, scoring just 21.0 points on 56.6% of his shots.
Additionally, he has a lengthy ιnjury history, having undergone many surgeries, the most recent being for a ruptured ACL in 2017. In preparation for the 2022–23 season, he underwent an arthroscopic operation as well. On November 28, LaVine departed the Bulls’ game against the Boston Celtics after a foot ailment he had been nursing.
The Lakers, according to Charania, will take it slow for a number of reasons, including the fact that they can’t deal away many players at this stage of the season.
They have maintained their position on Reaves for a long time.
Lakers’ Position on Trading Austin Reaves Revealed by Insider
“Up until now, the Lakers have shown no interest in trading for Austin Reaves,” Charania stated. “It seems to me that the Lakers would be wise to play it safe.”
Austin Raves Surviving in a Supporting Role In the offseason, Lakers head coach Darvin Ham promoted Reaves to the starting lineup at shooting guard. That followed Reaves’ restricted free agency re-signing of a five-year, $53.8 million deal. However, after a sluggish start, Ham sent Reaves back to his reserve role from last season in an attempt to spice things up for the squad and individual.
For the Lakers in their first eight games this season, Reaves started every game and averaged 13.1 points on 52.3% true shooting. Those games saw the Lakers’ record drop to 3-5. Nevertheless, in the past ten games, Reaves has contributed off the bench, averaging 14.5 points on 63.2% shooting.
In that time, he contributed to Los Angeles’ 7-3 record.
“My focus is on winning,” Reaves has stated time and time again. Even Ham understood that sitting on the bench didn’t meаn he was being demoted. That things have turned out well is certainly a plus.