Austin Reaves, Lakers
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Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves gestures toward the bench as attention around his future has intensified.
The ripple effects of Rich Paul’s public suggestion that the Los Angeles Lakers should explore trading Austin Reaves for Memphis Grizzlies star Jaren Jackson Jr. reached the court Tuesday night.
According to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, one of Reaves’ agents, Reggie Berry of AMR Agency, approached Paul near half court at halftime of the Lakers’ game against the Atlanta Hawks and spoke with him for more than five minutes to address Paul’s recent comments about Reaves’ future.
“The topic of conversation was Paul’s public trade scenario regarding Reaves,” McMenamin reported, citing sources.
It was a rare public moment of friction in what is typically a tightly controlled ecosystem around player representation and front-office messaging — and it underscored just how sensitive Reaves’ status has become inside the Lakers’ organization.
What Rich Paul Said — and Why It Sparked Reaction
Paul’s remarks came on The Ringer’s Game Over podcast, where he floated the idea of the Lakers targeting Jackson as a trade centerpiece.
“If I was the Lakers, I’d probably be targeting the Memphis Grizzlies as a trade partner for Jaren Jackson,” Paul said. “You’ve got to figure out the package. Someway, somehow, I’d be trying to get Jaren Jackson and maybe get back GG Jackson.”
Paul framed the idea as a basketball argument, not a personal one.
“This comes with a very unemotional attachment because Austin is beloved. He’s an underdog,” Paul said. “There’s a world where you can do what’s best for your team and do what’s best for Austin because Austin deserves to get paid.”
The reaction was swift.
Former NBA player Chandler Parsons called the suggestion “a bad look and tone deaf,” while fans criticized Paul for publicly entertaining the idea of trading one of the franchise’s most popular players.
Why Reaves’ Agent Stepped In
Reaves is not just a role player.
He is the Lakers’ breakout success story — an undrafted guard who developed into a primary offensive option and now stands on the brink of a massive payday.
Reaves declined a four-year, $89.2 million extension last summer and is expected to opt out of his $14.9 million player option after the season.
Under NBA rules, only the Lakers can offer Reaves a five-year maximum deal, projected to be worth $240.7 million, according to Bleacher Report’s Dan Favale. Other teams are limited to four years and $178.5 million.
That financial reality makes any public trade speculation especially sensitive.
Reaves Is Having the Best Season of His Career
Reaves is averaging career highs of 26.6 points, 6.3 assists and 5.2 rebounds per game.
When LeBron James and Luka Dončić were injured early in the season, Reaves carried the offense. When the roster is healthy, he has frequently been the Lakers’ second-best player behind Dončić.
The Lakers are 24-14 and fifth in the Western Conference — firmly in the playoff picture.
Reaves is not just productive. He is key to the Lakers’ success.
LeBron James Distances Himself From Paul’s Comments
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There has been major drama between Austin Reaves, LeBron James, and Rich Paul over his comments on Lakers trade rumors and potential moves.
James moved quickly to separate himself from Paul’s remarks.
“Rich is his own man and what Rich says is not a direct reflection of me and how I feel,” James told ESPN. “AR knows how I feel about him. We talk every single day.”
James emphasized that Paul’s perspective does not represent his own or the locker room’s.
“Grown men can say whatever they want to say,” James said. “It shouldn’t reflect somebody else.”
The Bigger Picture for the Lakers
Paul’s underlying argument was roster construction.
With Dončić already on a three-year, $165 million deal and Reaves approaching a max contract, Paul suggested that allocating so much money to the backcourt could limit the Lakers’ ability to build a balanced roster.
The Lakers are currently 25th in defensive rating and have been searching for perimeter defense and size.
That is the basketball logic behind Paul’s thought experiment.
But basketball logic is not the same as locker-room reality.
And in this case, the reaction from Reaves’ camp suggests that even hypothetical trade talk can have real consequences.
What Comes Next
There is no indication that the Lakers are shopping Reaves. There is no indication that Memphis is offering Jackson.
And there is no indication that a trade is imminent.
What there is — is a reminder.
Reaves is no longer just a feel-good story. He is a franchise pillar.
And pillars do not move quietly.