What was the Lakers obsession with keeping Austin Reaves?

[dc]

Same reason that THT was untouchable...Lakers over value their role players tremendously.

Nothing compares to a rookie Channing Frye as far as untouchable role players go.

[WentzerWuver]

He's an efficient role player on a bargain contract who meshes in well with the two core building blocks in Bron and AD. It isn't all that difficult to see why the Lakers value him so highly and want to keep him around. Like others have mentioned in the thread, it's not like there is some sort of god father offer out there trying to poach Reaves from LA.

The issue with the team is that him and D'Lo is they are similar offensively with the need to have the ball in their hands while also being below average defenders. Coupled that with a 39yo LeBron who is prone to having defensive lapses himself, and you can see the issue with the team. You'd like to see the 3pt% be a little bit higher, but it is what it is.

They need to trade either D Lo or Reaves
If they could get a Trey Murphy 3rd or Dort type player
It would really help with the guard defense

Lol Trey is a nobody. Lakers should trade Dlo, Rui, Vandy and a protected first to get back their former drafted player who idolized Kobe as a kid and was giving his locker instead of to Dlo. He"s able to match up and score against lengthy forwards like Porter Jr and Gordon as lack of size has been the Lakers biggest problem against Denver. It's a smart move since Rui has done nothing but choking just like last season against them.

https://youtu.be/8Lbjq6ld0ek?si=p3HCEyY2fasLdMbQ

https://youtu.be/zeHlGxaK8lY?si=4DhSS_6-ifQ4Rv-6

[louc1970]

Reeves was all hope and hype. He had several good games and people put him in a tier he did not belong. Happens every year that someone gets overhyped.
Monk is this year’s candidate.

[WentzerWuver]

Reaves is actually in a tough spot against Denver. Every defensive player they put on him is longer and more athletic (whether it's Murray, KCP, MPJ, Braun or Watson). Reaves tends to feast against guys who can't challenge his shot. He also does really well in the middle of the paint, just below the free throw line. How many of those shots has he gotten in this series? It has to be less than five. He's been regulated to being a spotup shooter by the Lakers offensive game plan, while also being asked to chase Murray or KCP off screens. No one wants to give him credit, but usually he is a horrific defender. Well, in two games, he's guarded his ass off.

It stands to reason that the Nuggets just are a bad matchup for the Lakers due to personnel. If they were playing Minnesota right now, I have no doubt the Lakers would run multiple actions/switches to get Mike Conley on Reaves.

Bingo! as they just cannot match up against the Nuggets and why they will likely be swept yet many continues to blame AR shortcomings like its the same problem against every team when it's not. I would just have AR come off the bench against this team only. Have to get Gabe more playing time as a starter since he can put pressure on Jamal.

https://youtube.com/shorts/tqTNy9MxKSk?si=x63VTJ_AAkVBmXW2

https://youtu.be/uz5NLP7Gybk?si=V2jfjeWoM38hqPHA

[dWadeOwnzYou]

Same reason why they wanted to keep Talen Horton-Tucker for as long as they did. The dude just disappeared into cloud 9 or something. Just some incompetent FO, and it ain't Lebron James this time.

[In-N-Out 247]

Same reason that THT was untouchable...Lakers over value their role players tremendously.

Unfortunately the Bulls over value all of their players way worse so I have nothing to talk about here....

The whole THT being untouchable was just media reports on trade rumors (supposed deals with the Raptors - first for Kyle Lowry then later for Khem Birch and a first) who knows what was really true. THT was eventually traded for Patrick Beverley. I get that circumstances change, but it turns out that he was in fact not "untouchable".