Austin Reaves spent a week wondering if his Lakers tenure was in jeopardy

Earlier this offseason, Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves could have committed to Los Angeles for the long haul by agreeing to a contract extension. However, he declined the offer, making his future a bit less certain than it would’ve been otherwise.

Reaves revealed that for around a week after he turned down the Lakers’ offer of a new contract, he was wondering whether or not they would trade him.

“I thought that there was a good chance for, like, a week after I declined the extension that there was a possibility I’d get traded,” Reaves told The Athletic in late August. “I mean, it’s still a possibility.”

It made the most sense for Reaves from a financial standpoint to not sign the $89.2 million max extension that the Lakers put on the table. He’s primed to be in a position to get paid more than that by playing the waiting game. The fact that he bet on himself leaves the door open for him to test the waters as a free agent as soon as next offseason, but he seemingly wants to be in L.A.

It’s interesting that Reaves said in late August that him getting moved was “still a possibility” then. While that’s technically true and still not outside the realm of possibility now, such a seismic move from the Lakers with the start of the new campaign less than one month away seems unlikely.

Maybe if the Lakers still desperately needed a starting center or wanted some lockdown defensive help, it would make sense to consider dealing Reaves, even with the season just weeks away. But with the Lakers having addressed those areas this offseason without having to move Reaves, the team should ride with him on the roster for the foreseeable future.

The Lakers improved in those aforementioned areas by adding Marcus Smart, who should start in the eyes of some people. The former Defensive Player of the Year will hopefully help to make the defensive limitations of Reaves and Luka Doncic less noticeable.

Moreover, Deandre Ayton is a solidified starting center and gives the Lakers a proven player at the position after Jaxson Hayes was their man in the middle following Anthony Davis’ departure.