A potential shutdown from Phoenix ownership has shifted the Austin Reaves trade conversation away from mock proposals and squarely onto the Lakers’ front office. With Los Angeles searching for defensive answers, the growing chatter around a Reaves-for-Dillon Brooks framework now carries a sharper question: is Jeanie Buss actually willing to move one of the organization’s most protected assets?

The Lakers’ defensive slippage has intensified internal and external pressure to re-balance the roster, and Reaves—beloved by fans but limited as a stopper—has become the lightning rod. League insiders suggest the biggest hurdle in any deal isn’t matching salaries or finding a willing partner, but the Lakers’ long-standing reluctance to part with a player viewed as both a cultural success story and an ownership favorite.

“[Jeanie Buss is] still the governor of that team,” Sam Amick reported on Run It Back. “I bring that up because she’s the captain of the Austin Reaves fan club, and Rob Pelinka is a huge fan as well.”

Amick made it clear that as long as Buss still has a say in the Lakers’ operations, Reaves is unlikely to leave the team, especially considering that he’s a homegrown talent. Reaves has stated multiple times that he enjoys playing for the Lakers, and it appears that management is on the same page.

However, Amick also admitted that if new owner Mark Walter, who purchased the team for $10 billion last year, feels strongly about trading Reaves, it could still take place. For now, the undrafted guard seems to be staying put.

Of course, the reason the conversation started was due to Reaves’ contract situation. He’s currently in the final year of his deal, since it’s extremely likely that he’s going to decline the player option available to him this summer.

He previously declined a four-year, $89 million offer last year, and hopes to sign the maximum this summer, which would entail either a five-year, $241 million deal with the Lakers or a four-year, $178.5 million deal elsewhere.

“Right now, all signs point to them finding a way to pay Austin that massive amount,” Amick told the hosts on Run It Back.

Mat Ishbia Shut the Door, Even If Dillon Brooks Makes Sense for the Lakers

The big problem for the Lakers is that even if they wanted to make the trade, Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia is perhaps as sold on Dillon Brooks as Jeanie Buss is on Austin Reaves.

Previously, Run It Back had posted a clip on their social media featuring analyst and former player DeMarcus Cousins, who claimed that the Lakers should make the Reaves-Brooks swap happen. Shortly after the clip surfaced, Ishbia responded to it via repost, adding a short statement:

“Don’t bother calling… Suns aren’t interested. Dillon’s not going anywhere.”

It’s an extremely rare admission, especially from an owner, something that would never occur unless the team was absolutely set on its decision. To be fair, he has good reason to stay in this position.

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Since his arrival in the offseason last year, Brooks has helped the Suns evolve into one of the biggest surprises of the season, putting them squarely in the high-end of play-in level teams, and even a potential top-six seed in a tough Western Conference.

Brooks would bring everything the Lakers need: a tough defensive mindset and an edge, both on and off the ball, that much of the team lacks.

Head coach JJ Redick has publicly called out his team’s effort multiple times, and acquiring Brooks, who’s like a supercharged version of veteran Marcus Smart, would surely help. Unfortunately for them, this avenue is likely closed.