Austin Reaves Out Four Weeks, Lakers Likely Skip Chris Paul

Merlin sees the Lakers lost Austin Reaves to a Grade 2 gastrocnemius strain and he will miss at least four weeks. Los Angeles sits 20 10 and trade talk is growing as the team stalls. The Clippers said they were "parting ways" with Chris Paul, and his $2.3 million cap hit would fit the books, but sources say the Lakers are not pursuing Paul and prefer players under 30. Merlin warns a Paul addition would be a short term fix that does not address Los Angeles defensive problems or the long term plan around Luka Dončić and Reaves. The front office kept a roster spot open for flexibility and will hunt for a younger defense minded guard or wing at the trade deadline rather than a nostalgia move that "would practically be wasting a roster spot."