According to NBA insider Dave McMenamin of ESPN, the Atlanta Hawks recently inquired about Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves.
However, the Lakers told the Hawks they didn’t want to trade Reaves. Los Angeles and Atlanta have been discussing a Dejounte Murray trade. If the Lakers trade for Murray, D’Angelo Russell would be moved.
“The Hawks recently inquired about Austin Reaves, team and league sources told ESPN, but L.A. has no desire to move the popular homegrown talent,” McMenamin wrote. “As much as Murray would bring to the table, infusing speed and playmaking to a Lakers team lacking both, would he be enough to part with some combination of Russell, (Rui) Hachimura, a future first-round pick, Reaves or other young players?”
Reaves is averaging 15.0 points, 4.2 rebounds, 5.1 assists, 0.9 steals and 0.1 blocks for the Lakers this season while shooting 49.0% from the field, 34.9% from beyond the arc and 87.3% from the free-throw line. He’s making $12 million.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Austin Reaves, Los Angeles Lakers, Atlanta Hawks Updates
The Lakers signed Reaves to a four-year, $53 million contract in restricted free agency last offseason. They are interested in acquiring Murray, who has the same agent as LeBron James and Anthony Davis, but Reaves is a player LAL’s front office wants to keep at all costs.
In 169 games with the Lakers, Reaves is averaging 11.5 points, 3.4 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 0.6 steals and 0.3 blocks. He has developed a strong rapport with LeBron and Davis on and off the court.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Austin Reaves, Los Angeles Lakers, Atlanta Hawks Updates
Most NBA insiders expect the Lakers to acquire Murray. Only time will tell if Reaves and/or Russell are part of the deal.
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