NBA analyst Bill Simmons sent a jolt through the Los Angeles Lakers’ fan base this week with a bold prediction: Austin Reaves will be traded this summer. The take came during his podcast and quickly made waves, coming on the heels of the Lakers’ first-round playoff exit to the Minnesota Timberwolves—a loss that exposed key flaws despite the star power of LeBron James and Luka Dončić.
“When Reaves gets traded this summer, and he will get traded,” Simmons said, “the stuff they [Lakers] get back for him is gonna make it seem worse that they [Mavericks] didn’t get him in the trade.”
That missed opportunity could come back to haunt Dallas, but it’s the Lakers who now face a high-stakes decision with Reaves, who has blossomed into one of their most valuable assets.
Reaves’ Breakout Season Raises His Trade Value
At 26 years old, Reaves is coming off a career-best season, averaging 20.2 points, 5.8 assists, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.1 steals per game while shooting 46% from the field and 37.7% from three. He emerged as the Lakers’ third-most important player behind Luka and LeBron, often acting as a secondary playmaker and reliable scorer.
But his rising value—both on the court and in trade discussions—may be too tempting for the Lakers to ignore. According to Simmons, the Lakers’ front office, facing pressure to contend during LeBron’s twilight years, is preparing to reshape the roster again.
Contract Implications and Win-Now Pressure
Two major factors are driving speculation about Reaves’ future:
- He’s eligible for a new contract and could reportedly command over $40 million per year if he declines his current team-friendly extension.
- The Lakers are in win-now mode. After swinging big with the Dončić trade, they may view Reaves as the most attractive trade chip to bring in a third All-Star.
That combination makes a Reaves trade more than plausible—it makes it strategic.
Trade Market Already Forming
Rival teams are paying attention. The Utah Jazz, Chicago Bulls, and Portland Trail Blazers have all been linked as potential trade partners, each capable of offering star talent or draft capital in return. For the Lakers, any deal involving Reaves would have to be carefully calculated—balancing emotional ties with his popularity and chemistry with LeBron against the need to maximize their championship window.
Change Is Coming For Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers have already undergone major change this offseason, hiring JJ Redick as head coach and signaling a desire to build a more modern system. Rob Pelinka has never shied away from bold moves, and with Reaves’ value peaking, Simmons believes the next blockbuster move is a matter of “when,” not “if.”
While Lakers fans may be reluctant to see Reaves in another jersey, the front office may not hesitate—especially if it brings back another star who can complement LeBron and Luka.
And if that trade does happen, Simmons suggests one team may regret it the most: Dallas.
“The stuff they get back for him,” Simmons warned, “is gonna make it seem worse that they didn’t get him in the trade.”
For now, Reaves remains a Laker. But all signs point toward a pivotal summer in Los Angeles—one that could shape the final chapter of LeBron’s career.