You can expect to watch the Los Angeles Lakers operate with a buyer’s mentality as the 2026 NBA trade deadline approaches.
If the Lakers are really looking to make a splash, they could end up making a shocking decision by parting ways with Austin Reaves.
Bleacher Report’s Dan Favale did a rundown of each NBA team’s top-three trade assets this week. For LA, Reaves was the No. 1 option.
Last season, that was typically the case. As much as Reaves was thriving, the Lakers had a dynamic duo of LeBron James and Luka Doncic after striking the most shocking trade of the decade.
This year, moving on from Reaves would classify as a stunning move.
Should the Lakers Consider Parting Ways With Reaves?
When it comes to the Lakers, they are always thinking big.
Often lacking satisfaction, there always seems to be someone bigger and better out there for the Lakers. They tend to have a link to every big name that hits the market.
Are any of the top trade pieces worth a package centered around Reaves? So far, the Giannis Antetokounmpo sweepstakes hasn’t really included the Lakers as a potential landing spot.
Anthony Davis is another big name, but a reunion in LA doesn’t seem likely.
Some other names include LaMelo Ball, Trae Young, and Ja Morant.
This situation should feel different for the Lakers right now. In Reaves, they have a homegrown budding star. They already recognized that, which resulted in a $53 million investment into the young veteran.
Last year, Reaves averaged 20 points and 5.8 assists for the Lakers in 73 games. This season, his numbers have improved to 27.8 points and 6.7 assists.
Reaves has clearly improved, moving into a second co-star spot when LeBron James missed a chunk of the season early on. But it’s not just about the production, it’s also about the relationships.
The Lakers are transitioning from the LeBron era to the Luka one. They need to keep Doncic happy, and it’s clear that Doncic and Reaves have a strong bond. As long as that’s the case, splitting the duo up doesn’t make much sense for the Lakers unless they are going so big that it’s too good to pass up.
Reaves might be a popular name included in trade calls from the other side, but the Lakers would be wise to hold.
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