Austin Reaves Discussion: How Much Is He Worth?

The only way to swap out AR for a better number 2 realistically is to blow the picks and that great TEAM and all of its needed depth to hell.

 

and they all are either making more money than he will or are unavailable to us or both.

feel like the only person to make serious attempts at this in this thread was svtzr, and even he wasn't sold on his own proposals.

and once again, he's a UFA. so most of this is wasted motion anyway.

you've got to see the irony in pointing out that people were kinda dumb in the past to suggest trading the same player you seem hellbent on trading right now?

it means a) he's luka and his opinion matters even if he's wrong and b) he probably knows more than us what it takes build a winning team around him.

no one said this, ever.

yes, we already know this.

you have no way of knowing this, and again "it won't build a dynasty" is a super lame standard. you think your reaves for two role players trades are guaranteeing a dynasty?

luka's the only untradeable player. lebron's untradeable mostly for non-basketball reasons. and also bc he'll probably still have a no trade clause.

yeah, we're going to sign him to a large deal. and if it doesn't work out, we'll trade him. not really sure what the disagreement is about. i'm sure some franchise-destroying geriatric players will be disgruntled at this deadline, too, lol.

 

This is the only answer. I have been fairly Reaves skeptic and have spent more time than I'd like to admit trying to find Reaves trades that make sense for us, the other team and for Reaves (because he's a UFA). I honestly cannot find any. Had the Magic not already traded for Bane, I could see their being a Reaves S&T for Franz that could make some sense but they're not doing that now. If we could get like Quickley and Barrett from the Raptors that could be interesting, but that's $60 million in salary you need to match.

 

The bottom line is that Luka wants Austin;so Luka will have Austin. If we are sitting here in the same spot after next season. This conversation will probably have a different tone to it. Until then.....

GO Austin!!!!

 

they take vando/jake/knecht and it's a doable trade, but a) toronto has to want to do it and b) reaves has to want to play in toronto.

not sure if either of those things are true.

 

1) Trade
2) UFA doesn't mean you can't S&T. If Reaves wants the five year deal and the money, he'll work with the Lakers to make it happen. Otherwise he just gets a four year max by signing with another team.
3) There is no irony. I'm just pointing out this infatuation with Reaves is weird and out-of-nowhere.
4) Luka's opinion matters NOW. It won't matter if after 3 years and they're still unable to win a title. Luka will get traded by then if that's the case. The time is ticking on Luka as well. And Luka's never won anything. This isn't 2012 LeBron James we're talking about coming off of a title and still at his prime. I don't trust Luka to be healthy when he's 30-32. You're looking at 3-5 years of Luka's prime. If two years passes and no titles or Finals appearances, Luka is also going to be on the trading block. Watch how quick this flips into trading Luka in 2-3 years of no titles.
5) I'm not saying people are saying that. I'm implying that it's going to take Luka + another top 10 type player for the Lakers to be a dynasty and we obviously know Reaves isn't capable of that. Don't be snarky for the sake of responding.
6) Did I say not to re-sign Reaves? I'm saying that a lot of you are very hesitant on trading Reaves. Just read the thread, my guy.

I just want to point out again, the rest of the NBA fanbase isn't as high on Reaves as you guys on average are. You guys are in this Lakers bubble, which is fine, but it's not what is represented by other teams.

 

I'm of the mindset that the team trading the best player in the trade usually loses the trade.

 

AR has improved a ton in the past 2 years. He's now a much better player than Turner. That's the difference.

In my opinion, AR is around the 30th best player in the league. He's not untradeable. I would consider trading him for players hovering around the 20th best player range, like Scotty Barnes or Evan Mobley. The trades brought up in this thread are for players that are worse than AR.

You have him at 40, a lot of us have him around 25-35. Just because we are slightly off in rating him doesn't make us blind AR fans.

 

Careful you'll go on his ignore list. It really sucks man, hate to see it happen to you too.

 

That’s fine but doesn’t make it true.Especially in today’s game where depth is more important

 

Depth has always mattered. But talent has mattered more.

 

The trades being mentioned aren't for players worse than AR. It's a combination of players at times that would provide equal or more value than AR. You're focused on a 1-1 player transaction that doesn't make sense. Better also is a weird word. You're looking for VALUE and FIT. Reaves isn't the best pairing with Luka for the same reason LeBron and Luka aren't the best fit. Luka wants to control the ball 80% of the time he's there. Reaves works best when he's also controlling the ball. Reaves might be better than two players individually but when you add in the fact that the other two players are off-ball, play defense, and do the dirty work that Reaves can't, you're looking at more value for the Lakers.

AR did improve the past few years. I wouldn't say a ton. Last year and this year Reaves is the same player. But the $ is different. Expectations are going to be a lot different when you're making max dollars on the Lakers versus when you're $13 million and people let things slide because you're underpaid.

I look around at what other teams have, it's tough for me to say yup, Reaves is the 2nd option guy on this team. I think if Luka's injured, Reaves is going to struggle badly. Your 2nd option should be able to uplift your team or you better have a strong overall roster. Similar to what Jaylen Brown was able to do with Tatum's absence and what Kawhi has been able to do in carrying the Clippers down the finish line.

I think most of the NBA fanbase would agree with me he's closer to the 40th than the 25th best player.