An NBA trade idea sending Austin Reaves from the Los Angeles Lakers to the Dallas Mavericks has been created.
NBA writer Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report created the following trade idea between the Lakers and Mavericks:
Los Angeles Lakers receive: Dereck Lively II and Caleb Martin
Dallas Mavericks receive: Austin Reaves and a 2031 first-round pick
Reaves is expected to decline his 2026-27 player option with the Lakers worth $14.9 million so he can sign a new contract with the franchise next summer.
However, Buckley thinks Los Angeles should consider trading the undrafted guard to Dallas.
“The Lakers could cross their fingers and give him that kind of coin, but they could also flip him and a future first for Lively, who has established chemistry with Luka Dončić and cornerstone potential on defense, and Martin, a reliable role-playing wing with a proven ability to perform on the postseason stage,” Buckley wrote.
Reaves averaged 20.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, 5.8 assists, 1.1 steals and 0.3 blocks in 73 games last season while shooting 46.0% from the field, 37.7% from beyond the arc and 87.7% from the free-throw line. He was the Lakers’ third-leading scorer behind superstars Dončić and LeBron James.
The Lakers lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the 2025 playoffs in five games despite having Dončić, James, Reaves and home-court advantage. Reaves averaged 16.2 points, 5.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 0.2 steals and 0.6 blocks in the series while shooting 41.1% overall, 31.9% from 3 and 85.7% from the foul line. He played through a serious toe injury.
Reaves, 27, has career averages of 14.5 points, 3.8 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 0.7 steals and 0.3 blocks with the Lakers, who have declined multiple trade offers for the Arkansas native. The Oklahoma product is expected to start next season alongside Dončić, Rui Hachimura, James and Deandre Ayton if he’s not traded this offseason.
Reaves will make $13.9 million in 2025-26. He signed a four-year, $53.8 million contract with the Lakers in July 2023.
The Mavericks missed the playoffs last season after reaching the 2024 NBA Finals. Nico Harrison traded Dončić to the Lakers for Anthony Davis and Max Christie in February.