Imagining De'Aaron Fox in the purple and gold would be a nice thought. Of all the players that the Los Angeles Lakers have been linked to, Fox strikes that rare balance of a win-now move that can also be viewed as a future-minded acquisition as well. Unfortunately for Lakers fans, any trade for the services of the one-time All-Star will be complicated by one key reason.
Fox would be a strong addition for anyone. The Sacramento Kings guard is averaging 25.1 points, 5.0 rebounds, 6.2 assists, and 1.5 steals per game, while shooting 46.8 percent from the field. Despite his quality production, the Lakers are reportedly unwilling to part with one crucial piece that would go a long way to getting this deal done.
NBA insider reveals hold-up in a potential Fox to Lakers trade
Shams Charania was the original reporter who gave light to the fact that the Lakers were not on the list of preferred destinations for Fox. The ESPN insider then followed that up with insight as to which team tops the list. That wound up being the San Antonio Spurs.
Now, Jake Fischer has stepped in to explain why the Lakers have not been viewed as a fit, despite the obvious connection of Fox, LeBron James, and Anthony Davis sharing the same agent, Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul.
"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."Jake Fischer
Apart from the obvious reasons of not wanting to give up a talented player who would be a key contributor to any championship push in Los Angeles, there should be another painfully obvious reason the Lakers would not want to part with Austin Reaves. Simply put, the fourth-year pro possesses one of the best 'bang for your buck' contracts in the entire NBA.
Reaves is currently in the second season of his four-year deal with the Lakers. His estimated contract comes in around $13 million, according to Spotrac. Reaves is outplaying that dollar value drastically.
The Lakers guard is averaging 18.2 points, 4.2 rebounds, 6.1 assists, and 1.1 steals per game, while connecting on 44.6 percent of his shooting from the field and 36.6 percent from beyond the arc. That type of production, relative to the dollar amount on his contract, makes Reaves a tough inclusion into any deal for the Lakers.
With the current cap constraints of the second apron that followed the last CBA between the NBA and NBPA, contracts like that of Reaves are worth their weight in gold. It is understandable why the Lakers would not be jumping at the idea of parting with that sort of value.