One of the reasons why the Los Angeles Lakers have been struggling to make a splash in the trade market of late is because of their perceived lack of valuable trade assets. Apart from the likes of Talen Horton-Tucker and Kendrick Nunn (both of whom have had minimal trade interest in the market) as well as their future draft picks, LA doesn’t exactly have anything else of much value for trading purposes.

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A recent report pertaining to incoming second-year guard Austin Reaves could help LeBron James and the Lakers in this respect. According to NBA insider Sam Amico of Hoops Wire, opposing teams have reportedly shown interest in the 24-year-old:

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Also, sources said that several rival teams 1have expressed in Austin Reaves, the shooting guard who is coming off a promising rookie season.

This could be a lifeline for the Lakers and their pursuit of a blockbuster deal. They are reportedly still very much in the mix for Brooklyn Nets superstar Kyrie Irving, and are still actively trying to shop Russell Westbrook. Reaves could be a valuable trade chip that might just help facilitate these moves.

Then again, you have to note that Reaves is coming off an impressive debut campaign last season. He doesn’t exactly have superstar potential, but the Lakers seem to see some value in the former Oklahoma standout. At this point, however, with the front office struggling to make a deal work, it would not come as a complete shock if Reaves ends up becoming a sacrificial lamb, so to speak.