Los Angeles Lakers star Austin Reaves is once again a name in the rumor mills, as speculations of a trade surrounding him have floated recently, suggesting that the Lakers could leverage him to bolster a strategy around two other star players.
The Los Angeles Lakers could explore trade options for Austin Reaves, aiming to strengthen their roster with a defensive-minded center who can complement LeBron James and Luka Doncic. In a mock trade by Sportskeeda, Reaves could be traded for the big man the Lakers have long been looking for.
While Reaves had a strong regular season, averaging 20.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 5.8 assists, his playoff performance dipped, raising concerns about his fit alongside Doncic’s ball-dominant style. With the Lakers prioritizing an athletic big man, one potential trade scenario involves acquiring Onyeka Okongwu from the Atlanta Hawks, a player known for his rim protection, rebounding, and ability to stretch the floor.
In this proposed deal, the Lakers would send Reaves and a protected 2027 first-round pick to the Hawks in exchange for Okongwu, whose $15 million salary fits within the Lakers’ financial structure. Okongwu’s presence would allow LeBron and Rui Hachimura to play more aggressively on offense while providing Doncic with a reliable lob threat.
Losing Austin Reaves would mean sacrificing a secondary ball-handler, but the Lakers could address this gap by targeting 3-and-D guards or shooters in free agency, with names like Malik Beasley, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, and Caris LeVert emerging as potential options.
For the Hawks, acquiring Reaves would give them a versatile scorer and playmaker to pair with Trae Young and Jalen Johnson, allowing Young to play off the ball more frequently. The Lakers, meanwhile, would gain a defensive anchor who could help them contend more effectively in the Western Conference.
Insider Not Convinced Lakers Will Trade Austin Reaves
Contrary to the rumors, insider Jovan Buha thinks that an Austin Reaves trade is unlikely right now.
“I don’t think the Lakers will,” said Buha in one of his videos. “As of my current intel, I don’t think that’s gonna happen.”
More than anything, Buha mentioned that he believes the team is unlikely to trade Austin Reaves, despite ongoing rumors, because of his consistent improvement and value as a key role player. Buha advised fans to “temper expectations” regarding a potential trade, stating that his sources indicate the Lakers do not plan to move Reaves.
For the 2024-025 season, Austin Reaves played in 73 games, averaging 20.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 5.8 assists per game, showcasing his versatility on both ends of the floor. He shot 46.0% from the field and 37.7% from three-point range.
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Dan has been active in sports since 2016 and has worked behind the scenes as a scriptwriter for basketball, volleyball, and other sports. At a time, Dan has also been working as a sports commentator for CBA Pilipinas. During the pandemic, he has also been actively writing betting articles for CashBet and BetNow.
