Austin Reaves has been an integral piece for the LA Lakers since emerging as a capable offensive piece four years ago. However, an analyst believed the Lakers would be better off without him.
According to NBA analyst Nick Wright, the Lakers would only be a championship-level team if they traded away Reaves for defensive pieces alongside their stars Luka Doncic and LeBron James.
“I think that if LeBron were going to stay in LA, and they wanted the best chance to win a championship next year, I think what Rich Paul said 4 months ago is still correct, which is moving Austin Reaves for better defensive pieces for Luka. I think that would be the move,” Wright said.
“I think that if LeBron were going to stay in LA, and they wanted the best chance to win a championship next year, I think what Rich Paul said 4 months ago
Wright echoed James’ agent Rich Paul’s statements last January, when he hypothesized a trade that would send Reaves to the Memphis Grizzles for Jared Jackson Jr., with the hopes of boosting the Lakers’ defensive capabilities. Jackson Jr. was eventually traded to the Utah Jazz.
Reaves has emerged as the third option on offense for the Lakers behind Doncic and James. This year, Reaves took a leap in the offensive end, putting up a career-best 23.3 points per game, 4.7 rebounds, and 5.5 assists per game.
However, he has been plagued with injuries, including an oblique strain that would rule him out in the first round of the playoffs.
The Lakers finished the regular season as the fourth seed with a 53-29 record, and will face the fifth-seeded Houston Rockets in Round 1.
Austin Reaves Could Command Over $200 Million
GettyAustin Reaves could ask for more than $200 million if he is to turn down his player option in the offseason.
Austin Reaves’ 2025-2026 NBA season has made him a valuable offensive weapon for any team.
Considering his performances, Reaves could ask for as much as $241 million over five years from the Lakers if he were to waive his $14.9 million player option in the offseason.
A Reaves deal is among the Lakers’ offseason objectives this year, on top of the possible extension of the now 41-year-old LeBron James.
The team is also looking to find new pieces to the squad to build around Doncic, who had an MVP-caliber season with averages of 33.5 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 8.3 assists per game.
Lakers’ Playoff Opponents Brace For Austin Reaves’ Quick Return from Injury
GettyAccording to Brian Windhorst, some teams expect Austin Reaves to return in the first round of the playoffs.
While initial reports indicated that Austin Reaves would not be back in time for the first round of the playoffs, some Lakers’ playoff opponents believe the scoring guard would return to action sooner than expected.
According to ESPN analyst Brian Windhorst, there are some potential Lakers squad that anticipates Reaves to play in the first round.
“There are potential Laker playoff opponents who felt that it was a better chance—based on their analysis of the situation—that Austin Reaves could play sooner rather than later,” Windhorst said. “They were preparing for Austin Reaves potentially to play in that first-round series at some point.”
“There are potential Laker playoff opponents who felt that it was a better chance — based on their analysis of the situation — that
Aside from Reaves, the Lakers are also expected to miss Doncic in the first round due to a hamstring strain.
Doncic flew back to Europe to get stem cell therapy to boost his recovery, while Reaves continues to rehab with the team ahead of the playoffs, according to Lakers head coach JJ Redick.
Lakers Must Trade Austin Reaves for Shot at NBA Title, Says Analyst