NBA Trade Proposals Sending Lakers’ Austin Reaves To Raptors, Jazz, Pelicans, Pistons, Mavericks

The Los Angeles Lakers will attempt to acquire a center this offseason. 

To get a center, Rob Pelinka may have to part ways with Austin Reaves, the Lakers’ most attractive trade chip. 

With that said, Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report came up with five trade proposals involving Reaves: 

First Trade

Toronto Raptors receive: Austin Reaves and Maxi Kleber

Los Angeles Lakers receive: Jakob Poeltl

Second Trade

Utah Jazz receive: Austin Reaves, Jarred Vanderbilt, Dalton Knecht and a 2030 first-round pick swap (top-three-protected)

Los Angeles Lakers receive: Walker Kessler, Collin Sexton and the No. 43 pick

Third Trade

New Orleans Pelicans receive: Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura and Gabe Vincent

Brooklyn Nets receive: C.J. McCollum, Dalton Knecht, a 2026 first-round pick (lottery-protected, via NOP), a 2029 first-round pick (top-five-protected, via NOP) and a 2031 first-round pick (via LAL)

Los Angeles Lakers receive: Nic Claxton and Cameron Johnson

Fourth Trade

Detroit Pistons receive: Austin Reaves

Los Angeles Lakers receive: Jalen Duren, Simone Fontecchio and the No. 37 pick

Fifth Trade

Dallas Mavericks receive: Austin Reaves and Shake Milton

Los Angeles Lakers receive: Dereck Lively II and P.J. Washington

Reaves was the Lakers’ third-leading scorer this season, trailing only Luka Doncic and LeBron James. The undrafted guard averaged 20.2 points, 4.5 rebounds and 5.8 assists in 73 games while shooting 46.0% from the field, 37.7% from beyond the arc and 87.7% from the foul line. 

The Lakers lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the 2025 playoffs in five games. Reaves averaged 16.2 points, 5.4 rebounds and 3.6 assists in the five-game series while shooting 41.1% overall, 31.9% from 3 and 85.7% from the foul line. 

The Lakers can sign Reaves to a contract extension this offseason. Reaves will make $13,937,574 next season. He has a player option worth $14,898,786 for the 2026-27 season. 

If Reaves has his way, he will spend his entire NBA career with the Lakers. 

“I want to play my whole career in LA,” Reaves told K8 News at his basketball camp in Arkansas. “I love it there. I love the fans. Love the weather, love the golf. And obviously, the Lakers is the best organization in basketball.”