As the 2025 NBA trade deadline nears, the Los Angeles Lakers are back at the drawing board. Torn between making meaningful improvements to the depth of the roster and going all-in on a star, the Lakers have a compelling assortment of options to consider.
One of the players who appears to be out of reach, however, is Sacramento Kings point guard and All-NBA honoree De'Aaron Fox.
Fox made waves when it was revealed that he doesn't want to be traded to the Lakers. Many have speculated why that may be the case, but a recent report has revealed a surprising reason Fox and Klutch Sports are unwilling to pursue a path to Los Angeles.
According to Jake Fischer of The Stein Line, the Lakers refuse to even consider parting with Austin Reaves in a potential trade for Fox.
"Among the reasons why the Lakers are not Fox's preferred destination: Klutch has direct knowledge of many Lakers dealings thanks to its representation of LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Which means Klutch knows, as sources tell The Stein Line, that the Lakers have zero intention of parting with Sacramento's presumed top target in any Fox discussions: Austin Reaves."
Whether or not that's the right decision, the Lakers have effectively gambled on Reaves being an All-Star—and anything less is thus entering bust territory.
Lakers reportedly refuse to trade Austin Reaves for De'Aaron Fox
It's understandable for Los Angeles to be reluctant to include Reaves in any potential trade. He's improved across each of his four NBA seasons, reaching a borderline All-Star level in 2024-25 at 26 years of age.
Thus far during the 2024-25 regular season, Reaves is averaging 18.2 points, 6.1 assists, 4.2 rebounds, 1.1 steals, and 2.6 three-point field goals made on .446/.366/.834 shooting.
Reaves is on pace to set new career-best marks in points, assists, steals, and three-point field goals made per game. He's also owed just $12,976,362 in 2024-25 and $13,937,574 for the 2025-26 campaign, with a $14,898,786 player option in 2026-27 that he's on pace to have every reason to decline.
Based on his production and salary, it's understandable for the Lakers to scoff at the idea of parting with one of the best bargain players in the NBA.
Fox, however, is already an All-Star and All-NBA honoree who has played a starring role on a playoff team. At 27 years of age, just now entering his prime, he's also sustained an elite level of production across an impressive sample size of seasons.
Since 2020-21, Fox has averaged 25.1 points, 6.1 assists, 4.2 rebounds, 1.5 steals, and 1.9 three-point field goals made on .480/.334/.758 shooting.
Furthermore, Fox ranked fourth among qualified players in fourth-quarter scoring in 2020-21, ninth in 2021-22, sixth in 2022-23, and third in 2023-24. He's one of the most dynamic scorers and playmakers in the NBA, as well as a high-level ball hawk and one of the best closers in the game.
It may seem like a hyperbolic statement, but with the same amount of time remaining on their respective contracts, the Lakers are effectively banking on Reaves becoming the All-Star that Fox already is.