It seems LeBron James isn't the only player whose future the Los Angeles Lakers are considering. Speculation is already swirling around guard Austin Reaves and whether or not a blockbuster deal could be on the horizon for the talented young guard. It is understandable for a team whose best asset after Luka is arguably Reaves. This is with the understanding of LeBron's age and the chances he walks away in the next year or begins to regress.
Reaves signed a contract that averages an annual value just north of $13 million. This is for a player who could easily fetch $20-25 million during this offseason's market. Luckily for the Lakers, they have another year of control before the guard has a player option the following season. With this in mind, it is this situation that is causing speculation about Austin's future.
Peremptory Concerns About an Austin Reaves Extension Are a Terrible Reason to Move the Rising Star
What Reaves will demand in a potential extension and how it could cost the Lakers' depth is what is causing the current trade speculation. It is a discussion that is misplaced when you look at what Los Angeles is attempting to do next season. You have one of the best players in the league in Luka and hope LeBron James has one year left of defying Father Time.
Keeping this in mind, there simply isn't a reasonable argument to ever consider trading Reaves. Even with the future contract concerns in mind, you're not going to find a player with his elite offensive ceiling at this rate. Not only is Reaves a proven scorer, but the guard has time and time again proven himself capable of being the Lakers closer.
Whether making tough playoff shots or taking over to give the Lakers' top stars a day off, Reaves' value to the franchise cannot be underestimated. If you're serious about pushing your chips to the center of the table and competing for a championship, this requires a healthy level of risk. It means relying on the health of James and Luka while gambling on the future of Austin Reaves.
The future contract debate will work itself out, even if that means Reaves choosing to walk away. Los Angeles is on an increasingly small timetable to make the most of the end of LeBron's career. Luka gives you the ceiling to be in next year's NBA Finals. This leaves any discussion of trading Austin Reaves as a ridiculous reach for a player who simply cannot be replaced.