Austin Reaves may not have to look up flights out of Los Angeles just yet.
The Los Angeles Lakers have shown “no interest” in trading away their talented swingman Reaves for anything less than a “top-tier big,” Dan Woike of the Los Angeles Times reported this week. Woike adds that no big men on the market right now fit that billing (though he does mention the two closest fits as being Brooklyn’s Nicolas Claxton and Dallas’ Daniel Gafford).
Reaves, 26, has been the subject widespread trade rumors ever since the Lakers’ season ended with a first-round loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Making a modest $13.9 million next season (with a $14.9 million player option for 2026-27), Reaves is the best trade asset left in a depleted Lakers’ cupboard that really only features Dalton Knecht, a 2031 first-round pick, and a hodgepodge of expiring contracts.
Many have also pointed to the offensive overlap that Reaves has with ball-dominant star teammates LeBron James and Luka Doncic (along with the Lakers’ obvious need for a more balanced roster with better size). Some leading media figures have even gone so far to guarantee that Reaves will be traded this summer.
But there are also some good reasons to hang onto Reaves, at least for the time being. He is a beloved, homegrown Laker who still has numerous fans within the organization. Reaves also has excellent chemistry with James and can be a floor-raiser and load-sharer in the regular season if and when James and Doncic have to sit out games.
The Lakers do not have to do anything hasty at the moment and still have up to the trade deadline in February to potentially take advantage of Reaves’ value. In the meantime, the Lakers can focus on other tasks such as getting their conditioning in order.
