On the 2024-25 deadline, the Lakers traded with the Mavericks to accumulate Luka Doncic. Within the course of, they gave up Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a 2029 first-round choose.
Whereas the Lakers added a top-five participant within the NBA, they didn’t have the appropriate supporting forged. The 2024-25 Lakers had been constructed round LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Now, their star duo is Lebron and Luka Doncic. One NBA insider expects the Lakers to maneuver a key piece of their roster this summer time. Invoice Simmons mentioned Los Angeles “will” commerce Austin Reaves forward of the 2025-26 season.
Has Austin Reaves already performed his closing recreation for the Lakers?
Invoice Simmons predicts that the Lakers will commerce Austin Reaves
“When Reaves will get traded this summer time — and he WILL get traded – the stuff they [Lakers] get again for him is gonna make it appear worse that they [Mavericks] didn’t get him within the commerce.”
(h/t @RTNBA ) pic.twitter.com/RKfeIzyqOi
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) Might 12, 2025
In 2021, Austin Reaves went undrafted out of Oklahoma. Forward of the 2021-22 season, Reaves signed a two-way cope with the Lakers. The 26-year-old has performed all 4 of his skilled seasons for Los Angeles. Reaves averaged a career-high 20.2 factors, 4.5 rebounds, 5.8 assists, and 1.1 steals per recreation in 2024-25. He began 73 of the Lakers’ 82 video games. Not too long ago, one league insider had a robust tackle the way forward for Austin Reaves.
Invoice Simmons reported that the Lakers “will” commerce Reaves this summer time. Regardless of a career-best season from Reaves, Simmons believes the Lakers will transfer on from him. The staff must construct round Luka Doncic and LeBron James. Los Angeles may need extra spot-up shooters quite than a participant like Reaves, who creates his personal shot.
Simmons added that the commerce bundle the Lakers obtain for Reaves will make the Dallas Mavericks look even worse. A number of analysts across the league imagine the Lakers ought to have despatched Austin Reaves or one other first-round choose within the Luka Doncic commerce. Invoice Simmons is plugged into the league and is a trusted supply. He mentioned the Lakers “will” commerce Austin Reaves this summer time. Time will inform if Simmons was proper and the place Reaves will proceed his profession.
