With the 2025–26 NBA season set to tip off October 21 against the Golden State Warriors, the Los Angeles Lakers are once again balancing championship expectations with roster uncertainty. The franchise bolstered its depth this summer by adding promising young pieces like Jake LaRavia and Adou Thiero, along with veterans Deandre Ayton and Marcus Smart. Still, one question continues to loom large: what to do with Austin Reaves.
Robert Horry: “You Don’t Need Two of the Same Players”
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Lakers legend Robert Horry stirred the debate on the Big Shot Bob Podcast, suggesting that Los Angeles consider parting ways with Reaves in a potential sign-and-trade deal.
“If the Lakers were smart, they would do a sign-and-trade,” Horry said, via HoopsHype. “And the reason I say that is because when you have a team with two players who are pretty much the same, meaning Luka and AR, and I’m not saying they have the same skill set.
“They play the same position, they pretty much do the same thing. It’s a wash. And don’t get me wrong, I love AR and I think he could play, but you don’t need two of the same players. You think about the NBA, it’s all about a fit. You look at all the great teams, they all have something different. There’s no two Jokers. There’s no two Giannises, no two Shai Gilgeouses.”
The point, according to Horry, is not that Reaves lacks talent, but rather that his ball-dominant, playmaking style overlaps with Luka Doncic’s role in J.J. Redick’s offense.
Reaves’ Value and Rising Market
Reaves, 27, has gone from undrafted guard to one of the most reliable playmakers in the league. He signed a four-year, $53.8 million deal in 2023 but is widely expected to decline his player option in 2026 and test unrestricted free agency. Multiple teams, including the San Antonio Spurs, are already monitoring his situation, according to Clutch Points.
The Spurs, armed with cap space and a roster built around Victor Wembanyama, see Reaves as a strong fit alongside their young core. Other teams with flexibility in 2026 are also expected to pursue him.
Statistical Case for Keeping Reaves
Reaves’ growth has been steady and impressive. Last season he averaged a career-high 20.2 points, 5.8 assists, and 4.5 rebounds while shooting 45.9% from the field and 37.7% from three. He has also proven he can deliver under playoff pressure, averaging 16.7 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 4.2 assists across three postseason runs.
At times, he has even shown star-level production. Reaves averaged 25.2 points per game during a stretch late in the 2024–25 regular season and reached 30.7 per game during a brief March scoring surge.
The Risk of Repeating Dallas’ Mistake
The Lakers’ dilemma echoes the Dallas Mavericks’ miscalculation with Jalen Brunson. Believing he wasn’t the right long-term fit with Doncic, the Mavericks let Brunson walk, only to watch him grow into a top-10 player with the New York Knicks. Some fear the Lakers could make the same mistake with Reaves.
His versatility, confidence, and ability to adapt make him more than just a secondary ball handler. In theory, he could elevate Doncic by taking on complementary responsibilities rather than duplicating them.
Balancing the Future and the Present
For now, the Lakers’ roster looks deeper with Ayton anchoring the middle and Smart bringing toughness to the backcourt. But if Los Angeles falls short again this season, major changes could be on the horizon — and Reaves may be the first domino to fall.
The franchise must weigh the financial strain of paying Reaves alongside LeBron James and Luka Doncic against the risk of trading away a player who could develop into an All-Star. As speculation swirls, one thing is clear: the Austin Reaves decision could shape the Lakers’ future long after LeBron’s final season in purple and gold.