Lakers Weigh Austin Reaves Trade Amid Playoff Struggles

The Los Angeles Lakers are at a pivotal offseason, re-evaluating their roster after a first-round playoff exit exposed key weaknesses, particularly on defense. Austin Reaves emerged as a productive third option during the regular season, averaging career highs and proving his offensive value alongside LeBron James and Luka Dončić, but his playoff struggles and defensive limitations have led to trade speculation. While some reports suggest the Lakers might trade Reaves only for a top-tier big man, the team currently prefers to keep him and explore other avenues to improve their interior defense. Trade rumors also link Reaves to potential blockbuster deals involving the Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers, where he could address those teams' needs for scoring and shot creation, while the Lakers could gain veterans or high draft picks to complement their core. Meanwhile, the Miami Heat see Reaves as a possible trade target to solve their offensive deficiencies, given his ability to contribute across multiple statistical categories. Overall, the Lakers' future hinges on balancing immediate defensive upgrades with the development and retention of Reaves as a young scorer who fits their evolving roster around James and Dončić.