Los Angeles Lakers star Austin Reaves has established himself as the clear No. 2 option on the team. This season, Reaves has averaged 26.6 points, 5.2 rebounds and 6.3 assists through 23 games. In the recent weeks, however, the Lakers have struggled against tough competition.
This sparked trade rumors in the media, suggesting which player should be sacrificed for the team’s betterment. Former four-time All-Star DeMarcus Cousins was one of the media members who said that the Lakers should trade Reaves.
Cousins’ most recent opinion was that LA should give Dillon Brooks to the Phoenix Suns in exchange for the undrafted guard. The former NBA star argued that Brooks will address the team’s defensive woes. On Wednesday’s episode of “Run It Back,” the former Sacramento Kings big man revealed that he received serious feedback from the fans.
His response came after he was asked if the Lakers should trade Reaves to the New Orleans Pelicans’ Trey Murphy III.
“Last time I made a suggestion on Austin Reaves, I received death threats,” Cousins said.
Should the Lakers trade Austin Reaves for Trey Murphy? 🤔
"Last time I made a suggestion on Reaves, I received death threats." – Boogie Cousins 😅@MichelleDBeadle | @boogiecousins | @ChandlerParsons pic.twitter.com/E8xybVrGxw
— Run It Back (@RunItBackFDTV) January 7, 2026
The Lakers’ 23-11 record is mostly due to Reaves. He played in 16 games and contributed to the team’s impressive 15-4 start. During that stretch, he averaged 28.8 points, 5.8 rebounds and 6.8 assists.
Austin Reaves is unlikely to leave the Lakers
The trade buzz around Austin Reaves has been active for quite some time. But in terms of their position on Reaves’ future, the Lakers have taken a firm stand. According to Sam Amick of The Athletic, the 6-foot-5 guard is likely to stick around in LA. Amick told hosts at “Run It Back” on Tuesday’s episode.
“Jeanie Buss is the captain of the Austin Reaves Fan Club, Rob Pelinka’s a huge fan as well,” Amick said.
“Right now, all signs point to them finding a way to pay Austin that massive amount that’s coming this summer.”
Reaves has also said that he wants to stay in LA. Back in November, he told ESPN that he isn’t thinking much about the upcoming salary that he’s set to negotiate with the franchise.
“Reaves is not obsessed over earning every dollar possible on his next deal, sources said, but knows there is a range based on industry standards,” ESPN’s Tim McMahon wrote.
Reaves is eligible to sign a five-year, $241 million contract with the Lakers.
