Austin Reaves Discussion: How Much Is He Worth?

I don't know what his real value is yet, another playoffs run at 16pts per game, doesn't say near max to me. Austin has not proven to be a Kyrie or Jamal Murray, caliber player yet to me. We most likely need, another guy in the 30's, or two in the 20's...Still TBD.

 

If Ainge offers Kessler and fill ins in a S&T for Reaves do you say no? I believe the Lakers would get the better picks in such a trade

 

No, AR is like 2-3 tiers above Kessler as a basketball talent. A playmaker that can score 25+ pts on 65+ TS% don't grow on trees. AR is truly a rare talent.

And he fits with Luka, which is underappreciated. He may not be a 100% fit like Lively, but you have to ask yourself if it's worth trading away an Allstar-level player for a slightly better fit. An elite playmaker/scorer is much harder to find than a good defensive center. Don't forget how we failed for years to find a secondary ball-handler behind Lebron. Again, players like AR or Kyrie don't grow on trees.

The path is clear --- get off Lebron's $50M contract, then sign/trade for athletic wings and center. We have the most valuable piece next to Luka already. Go find the other pieces, and If that team doesn't work, then you can try to get off AR's contract. Not now.

 

Tough crowd. He was out for a month and a half with a calf injury. It will take more time to get his legs under him.

 

Fair enough.What if the Pels offer Murphy and Jones for him?

 

I'd try to trade all of our other assets for Murphy before trading AR.

In other words, AR is worth more than all of our draft picks and players (other than Luka of course) combined.

We'd still be considerably under the salary cap with a core of Luka, AR, and Murphy.

 

^What assets are we talking about? Our first round picks? They're not trading us Murphy without including Reaves. That would be moronic on the Pelicans part.

 

Wow a huge over estimation of AR worth. Especially since he isn’t the best fit next to Luka

 

No, the Luka/AR pairing has a +8.8 net rating as a duo this year, which is on par with the Luka/Kyrie pairing in 2023. They consistently rank in the Top 5 to Top 10 in the league as a duo. They aren't quite a "match made in heaven" like a Jokic/Murray or Curry/Draymond, but they play great together and their chemistry will only improve with more games under their belt.

You put a defensive minded player in there, like Smart, and as a trio the net rating jumps to +20. Imagine throwing in an elite 3&D wing and a competent center. People can believe what they want but judging by the numbers it would be a mistake to trade AR. No one really knows who will fit better than AR. It's all speculative, whereas AR is already proven to enhance Luka. Who is this "best" fit that you speak of?

You also have to consider that EVERY OTHER player on our team improves their net rating playing with AR. He's become an elite playmaker and he can carry our team when Luka is on the bench. There's really no realistic trade target that can replace what AR brings to this team.

 

He disappears in the playoffs lately..that's all that matters..Hopefully that changes this postseason. If not...max offer my a**, we need another high end player next to him too

 

Awhile back, I had a debate with him over who to take number 1 when the Lakes were tanking Okafor or Towns - guess who he would have taken? Yeah, Okafor. Don't take him serious.

He also said Reaves was the best player on the team, Reaves was having a better season than Edwards at the time (couple months back), don't take him serious, IMO. He's taking a 208-minute sample size and overrating the hell out of it.

He's going on my ignore list.

 

Failure in the playoffs will be due to the limitations of the rest of the roster not Austin, Luka or even LeBron if I’m being fair.

We’re going to get rid of guys who can actually play and end up right back here next year with folks wanting to trade Luka or whoever the scapegoat is then

 

Disagree. Reaves has been a** in the last few games. James has been an inefficient 20 point a game scorer. Luka, who shot the ball extremely well last game, couldn't guard Grayson Allen.

Yes, roster sucks. But the trio doesn't work together because you need multiple good defenders in this league to succeed. Guys who can switch, play drop, be physical, etc. This trio just doesn't work, man. Austin isn't going to work as a number 2. If the "Lakers" believe he would, they wouldn't be pursuing Giannis, IMO.

 

Last year, he did. But whether it's LG or LB, this guy (Reaves) gets more excuses than I've ever saw. Even X. He just gets excuse after excuse. I'm so sick of it. I actually want him to get paid more, maybe his a** will be held to a higher standard. Just truly f****** ridiculous.

 

Lately? You mean ONLY last year when he was reportedly dealing with a sprained toe.

In the previous 2 years he averaged more points in the playoffs than in the regular season. You make it sound like it's a trend. It's not.

 

Some said the same about AD. He wasn’t an alpha, etc etc. We actually did what I thought was very unlikely and traded him for a better player in Luka.

End result is the same. We’re about to get embarrassed in the playoffs again.

Austin is a free agent. He has the leverage. There’s no real reason for him to agree to a sign and trade.

I’m not against moving anyone other than Luka but I just don’t see the trade that works with Austin unless we’re strictly talking about next years trade deadline.

that’s why my main concern right now is building up the supporting cast this summer. Depending on guys we find on the clearance rack who are out of the league as soon as we cut them is a way bigger issue than any of our stars and we’ve got to address that IMO.

 

I'm not advocating trading Reaves, but I'm sick of these posts that are simply overrating him, IMO. Then, when he has a rough stretch, the excuses come out. That said, if there's a team out there willing to pay Austin 5 years $241 million, he'll consider any S&T, IMO, and he won't care what city it's in, IMO. Money can kind of do that.

 

Useless stats IMO.Why? Because this team sucks regardless what metric you care to use.This team needs multiple fixes and he’s the one player that can return a few of those fixes. Obviously it must be a solid impactful trade I’m not advocating for a trade for trades sake