Lakers' Stance on Austin Reaves Could Cost Them Dejounte Murray Amid NBA Trade Rumors | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats, and Rumors

The Lakers are a team that may come up in trade discussions for the Atlanta Hawks' Dejounte Murray, The Athletic's Shams Charania told The Pat McAfee Show.

While that would be a step in the right direction in terms of improving the Lakers' roster as the team faces an important crossroads in its pursuit of another NBA Championship, there may be a roadblock preventing the team from acquiring the young star or any other potential difference-maker this offseason.

Sam Amick of The Athletic reported, "Murray, meanwhile, was a player that the Lakers could have had at the February trade deadline if they'd been willing to put Reaves into the deal. He's a possibility now, as well, but league sources say the Lakers' stance on Reaves remains the same."

Fellow Athletic insider Jovan Buha reiterated the Lakers' stance, including that the team will only deal Reaves if there is a legitimate NBA All-Star in return.

Is the team right to stick to their guns regarding Reaves, though?

Sure, he is one year into a four-year, $53.8 deal that can best be described as favorable for the team, but in his first year as a starter, he was simply good. Reaves tallied 15.9 points per game, 4.3 rebounds, 5.5 assists, and shot 48.5 percent from the paint while averaging 32.1 minutes.

He was available and efficient, but not the young star who took over playoff games a season earlier, essentially demanding the Lakers pay up to keep him last off-season.

As the team looks to maximize the effect of having LeBron James and Anthony Davis on the roster at the same time, and potentially explores the possibility of adding a third star to the mix, can it really afford to be stubborn when it comes to Reaves if it limits who it can bring on board.

The answer is a resounding "no."

Reaves has defined chemistry with James and Davis, sure, and has a history of coming up big in high-pressure situations, but he was not the guy that some expected him to be a season ago and was even moved to the bench at one point amid underwhelming play.

Refusing to give him up when the potential exists to add Murray and his 22.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, 6.4 assists, 1.4 steals, and 35.7 minutes flies in the face of the team's desire to get better and take advantage of having James and Davis together while they still are.

Yes, Murray's contract is a significant hurdle, with the player account for a $25.2 million salary cap hit. Perhaps the organization does not believe him to be worthy of that, especially in comparison to Reaves, who they clearly believe to be more important to the team's long-term success than the stats would indicate.

Regardless, if the team wants to bring a top star on-board this offseason, there is a real possibility they will have to explore the idea of giving up Reaves to make the deal happen.

If not, the only entity to blame for not beefing up the roster this off-season will be the one staring the Lakers top brass back in the mirror.