Insider: The Lakers set a high trading threshold for Reeves and rejected the offer from fans

Lakers rumor: Insiders send fans a deal message about Austin Reeves' "frustrated"

As the Los Angeles Lakers prepare for a critical offseason, speculation about guard Austin Reeves' future continues. Amid ongoing discussions between fans and the media, The Athletic's Jowan Buha made a cautious response, highlighting the team's high valuation of Reeves and urging those who call for transfers to remain patient.

In response to a comment from a fan that Reeves "must go", Buha questioned the logic behind these proposals and said that any deal involving the 26-year-old would require huge value for return to be seriously considered by the Lakers.

"I think the most important thing is … tell me if Austin's trade is reasonable and if it's a good deal for the Lakers," Buha said. "Because we can sit here for theoretical deductions, put forward various assumptions about Austin changing to this player and that player - ultimately depends on the Lakers' feelings. The Lakers have a very high threshold for trading Austin."

Buha pointed out that many hypothetical deals involving Reeves either overestimate the defender or underestimate the defender. He mentioned some of the suggestions made by fans, including signing All-Stars like Bam Adebayo or Jaren Jackson Jr., and role players like Jonathan Isaac or Goga Bitaze, which he believes are not practical in both extremes.

"I've said before that I've seen someone trade him for Bam Adebayo, and someone trade three J for Jaren Jackson Jr., but I don't think both situations are realistic," Buha said. "I've also seen someone trade him for Jonathan Isaac or Goga Bitaze, and I think that's not realistic, completely underestimating Austin's strength. So, I think he should find a balance between these two extremes... maybe closer to the Bam and the Three J type, but not exactly that level."

Under the unrealistic offer from fans, the Lakers set high thresholds for Austin Reeves' deal

Finally, he emphasized the team's firm trust in Reeves.

"I haven't seen an Austin deal that makes sense to both sides, and I think people generally underestimate how the Lakers feel about him," Buha said. "What matters is the Lakers' idea, and I think a lot of Austin trades I've seen have paid far less to Austin than the Lakers' acceptance range. The bar for trading Austin is very high."

Reeves just played his best NBA season so far. The fourth-year guard averaged a career-high 20.2 points, 5.8 assists, 4.5 rebounds and 1.1 steals in 73 games, shooting 46% from the field and 37.7% from three-pointers.

However, his statistics have declined in the Lakers' first-round playoff loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Despite a sprained big toe on his left foot, Reeves still played in all five games, averaging 16.2 points, 5.4 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game, shooting 41.1% from the field and 31.9% from three-pointers.

The Lakers are considering how to build a team around LeBron James and Luca Doncic, and Reeves remains a key member of the team - management doesn't seem to be in a hurry to trade him.