Ahead of the Los Angeles Lakers’ first full season with LeBron James and Luka Dončić, the Houston Rockets may come calling. With Fred VanVleet expected to miss the 2025-26 campaign after tearing his ACL, the Rockets could pivot toward a bold move — targeting Lakers guard Austin Reaves.
Lakers Trade Rumors: Zach Lowe Floats the Idea
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On a recent episode of The Bill Simmons Podcast, NBA insider Zach Lowe speculated on how a rough start in L.A. could shift Reaves’ trajectory.
“What if things just go very badly this season for Austin Reaves with the Lakers?” Lowe said. “What if it’s like, you asked me to come off the bench, extension talks couldn’t really get started because you couldn’t offer me enough. But I’m not sure, do you really value me enough in a Luka world? LeBron is still here. Is he retiring? If he’s retiring, is that good for my future in L.A.?”
Lowe clarified he didn’t expect that outcome but admitted the Rockets might be wise to keep Reaves on their radar.
Why Houston Would Bite
Bill Simmons suggested the Rockets could feature Reaves in a role similar to Tyler Herro’s with Miami: “So, you’re running some offense through him, not as a point guard, but as like a ball, almost like how you use Herro.”
Lowe agreed: “Yeah, he can do that.”
With VanVleet sidelined, Houston faces a critical decision. Either second-year guard Reed Sheppard shoulders the load, or the franchise moves aggressively for outside help. Reaves, at $13.9 million this season and likely declining his option next summer, would fit both their timeline and cap structure.
The Lakers’ Calculus
Los Angeles, meanwhile, sits in an unusual position. LeBron James is entering the final year of his contract, with his future uncertain. His agent, Rich Paul, recently told The Athletic’s Shams Charania: “It’s important not to worry about the future when it comes to LeBron James. Just appreciate the present and also maximizing his present.”
That present includes Dončić, James, and Reaves forming one of the West’s most potent trios. Reaves thrived after Dončić arrived, averaging 21.9 points on 39.6% shooting from three in the final 28 games of last season. Still, if the Lakers view him as a bench player long-term, extension talks could stall.
High Stakes in Hollywood
The Lakers are early favorites to finish near the top of the West, but pressure surrounds the roster. If chemistry falters or injuries strike, the Rockets’ desperation could meet L.A.’s willingness to gamble — and Austin Reaves could become the centerpiece of a blockbuster.