NBA reporter says Lakers could trade Austin Reaves at midseason
Guard Austin Reaves has increased his production each season, and some feel he's due for yet another boost in his numbers this coming season. He averaged 20.2 points a game on 46% field-goal shooting and 37.7% from 3-point range this past season, and those numbers were even higher after Luka Doncic arrived in early February.
But Reaves can opt out of his contract next summer, and it is believed he will seek a contract that will pay him at least $30 million a year. He recently turned down a max contract offer that would've been worth $89.2 million over four years.
Longtime NBA journalist Rachel Nichols said on Sports Illustrated's "Open Floor" podcast that she can see L.A. trading Reaves by the midseason trading deadline this winter in order to address its biggest roster need.
'It doesn't shock me that while the Lakers are interested in making their team better, and already have by the way, it's possible that we get a trade for one of those 3-and-d guys for Austin Reaves before the trade deadline. That's still open, depending on how the Lakers' season is going.
'I think it's possible the Lakers front office now wants to take a look at how this group is going to be together before they start giving away things and trading Austin and doing whatever.
'Teams that think they have a shot will know by February that they don't have a shot. You and I see this every year.'
While Reaves raises the team's ceiling whenever he goes off for one of his customary big scoring games, his skills and ability greatly overlap with those of Doncic and LeBron James. Then there is the matter of the franchise's stated goal of pairing Doncic with either Giannis Antetokounmpo or Nikola Jokić in a year or two, which would require it to keep enough salary cap space free.
The Lakers had a legitimate 3-and-D wing for much of the 2024-25 season in Dorian Finney-Smith, but he departed for the Houston Rockets when free agency started. L.A. has a very talented and capable roster when it comes to offense, but it lacks high-level defenders, especially on the perimeter.
It has been very reluctant to include Reaves in any trade discussions over the last year or two. It remains to be seen if the team changes that stance, given his contract situation.
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