4 essential Lakers who should be untouchable in potential trade negotiations

4. Austin Reaves

Outside of Anthony Davis and LeBron James, no player has established themselves as more of a proven commodity than Austin Reaves. Arguments could be made for Rui Hachimura and D'Angelo Russell, but Reaves continues to excel in the regular season and the postseason alike.

Unless the Los Angeles Lakers can acquire a true superstar—which carries its own financial risk under the new CBA—parting with Reaves simply cannot happen.

Reaves is entering the second season of a four-year deal that will see him make a bargain salary of $12,976,362. He far exceeds what he's paid in terms of on-court value as a shot-creating wing who shoots efficiently, can attack off the bounce, and ranks among the better playmakers at his position.

This past season, Reaves posted career-best averages across the board at 15.9 points, 5.5 assists, 4.3 rebounds, 0.8 steals, and 1.9 three-point field goals made per game.

Parting ways with a low-cost player who has improved each season that he's been in the NBA would be the epitome of poor team management. He's the type of player that general managers and salary cap specialists dream of, and is a rare example of the Lakers paying below a player's market value.

Team-building is a more cost-dependent task than ever before. Giving up one of the best players on the roster, let alone one who plays on a team-friendly deal, is a crazy enough thought that Reaves instantly becomes untouchable.