The Utah Jazz are reportedly interested in guard Austin Reaves, while the Los Angeles Lakers could potentially use a sign-and-trade involving Walker Kessler to facilitate a deal.
Los Angeles Lakers star guard Austin Reaves is expected to become an unrestricted free agent in the 2026 offseason after declining his $14.9 million player option.
Austin Reaves
Austin Reaves
Austin Reaves
MIN: 33.48
PTS: 23.5 (62.2%)
REB: 4.71
AS: 5.39
ST: 1.11
BL: 0.37
TO: 3.05
GM: 38
Following a career-best season, Reaves is projected to command a massive contract, with the Lakers potentially offering a 5-year, $241 million max deal, or another team possibly signing him to a 4-year, $178.5 million deal.
One possible landing spot is the Utah Jazz, who reportedly have interest in him.
"I've heard that the Utah Jazz like Austin Reaves. I don't think that's a shock, but I’ve heard that that's one of the teams that's interested in Austin Reaves," Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report said on Buha's Block. "You can argue from a point of view that the Lakers may not want to invest in this backcourt with the kind of money that Austin's going to get and may want to go in a different direction, theoretically.
"Theoretically, do a sign-and-trade for Walker Kessler, where Kessler's and some draft compensation are coming to the Lakers, and Austin's going to Utah. The Lakers are using that outgoing money to get Kessler for Austin. But if it's enough money, they could use some of it, you could do a multi-team trade, you could bring in Giannis in that kind of situation where some of the draft comp coming from Utah would go to Milwaukee.
"I know that it's rumored from people I trust that Utah really likes Austin," Pincus added. "I don't think that's a leap. I know the Lakers have been linked to Kessler for a long period of time. I know he's also hurt last year, and maybe they don't want a player who was just hurt. But let's say that the Lakers look at Kessler as a defensive potential rim protector, still very young, over seven feet tall."
Credit AP - Scanpix
Reaves, 27, is averaging 23.5 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 5.4 assists this season.
The 24-year-old Kessler, meanwhile, could be a potential replacement for former No. 1 overall pick Deandre Ayton, who was signed last offseason.
Ayton's inconsistent performances have sparked growing calls for him to be removed from the starting lineup.
The Lakers are currently 39-25 on the season and sixth in the West. The Jazz, meanwhile, are 20-45, a No. 14 seed, and have won just two of the last 10.
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