As the Los Angeles Lakers enter their first full season with Luka Dončić leading the franchise, the Lakers trade rumors have shifted dramatically. LeBron James — once the centerpiece of almost every rumor — is staying put for now. But according to multiple insiders, two other key Lakers may not finish the season in purple and gold.
Lakers Trade Rumors: The Case for Rui Hachimura
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Hoops Wire’s Sam Amico recently highlighted Rui Hachimura as the Lakers’ most likely trade chip, noting that his expiring contract makes him an obvious candidate. “Despite all the buzz, LeBron James is likely in LA to stay (for this season). He does, after all, have a no-trade clause,” Amico wrote. “So when it comes to trade candidates, things will stay the same for the Lakers: Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura.”
While Reaves would command a significant return as the team’s third-leading scorer (20.2 points per game), Hachimura’s situation looks more fluid. The 27-year-old forward has just one year and $18.3 million left on his deal, and his defensive limitations make him a less certain fit in JJ Redick’s starting five.
Jovan Buha of Buha’s Block added fuel to the speculation, reporting that the Lakers are not expected to extend Hachimura before camp. “With the current intel I have, I do not expect Rui to be extended by the Lakers in the next six weeks,” Buha said. “It’s certainly possible that something happens, but… they want to keep the books clean, I think wanting to see whether he starts or whether he’s their sixth man.”
That financial flexibility could be critical, as the organization looks ahead to a potentially historic free agent class in 2027. In the meantime, Hachimura’s shooting — over 41% from deep in each of his past two seasons — may make him attractive trade bait for a team seeking frontcourt scoring.
Lakers Trade Rumors: Too Valuable or Too Redundant?
The more complicated discussion centers on Austin Reaves. The undrafted guard has blossomed into a fan favorite and a borderline All-Star, producing at a high level while earning relatively modest money. But the arrival of Marcus Smart — a former Defensive Player of the Year — forces questions about role and fit.
Reaves wants to remain a Laker long-term, yet his game overlaps with Dončić’s in some respects, as both thrive with the ball in their hands. His defense, while scrappy, is not a strength. That combination has led to external speculation about whether LA should consider selling high.
Dan Woike of the Los Angeles Times acknowledged that tension, writing that “there are skeptics around the NBA, mainly because there’s pressure for the Lakers to aggressively upgrade their roster.”
One recent proposal from Bleacher Report’s Zach Buckley floated a deal sending Reaves and Hachimura to Toronto for RJ Barrett, Ochai Agbaji, and a future first-round pick. From a basketball standpoint, though, the return doesn’t quite match Reaves’ current production or potential.
Buha believes the Lakers will ultimately prioritize keeping him. “I think the Lakers are going to prioritize keeping Austin over Smart or Rui,” he said, though he admitted that nothing is guaranteed in the NBA business.
Building Around Luka Dončić
For now, Los Angeles is attempting to balance its long-term flexibility with its short-term urgency. The team has already addressed some weaknesses, adding Deandre Ayton as a starting center, Smart to fortify perimeter defense, and Jake LaRavia as a versatile forward off the bench.
Still, in a loaded Western Conference, the Lakers remain a step behind the likes of Oklahoma City, Minnesota, and Houston. If they’re going to bridge that gap, Hachimura and Reaves represent their most realistic paths to a meaningful upgrade before the trade deadline.
Whether LA ultimately parts ways with one or both remains to be seen. But with LeBron James unlikely to be moved and Dončić entrenched as the franchise cornerstone, the spotlight has shifted squarely onto two younger veterans whose futures with the Lakers are suddenly uncertain.