The Los Angeles Lakers' outlook wasn't looking too bright before Nico Harrison and Rob Pelinka met in a Dallas coffee shop to discuss what'd be the most seismic trade in NBA history. Before Luka arrived in Hollywood, it didn't look like the Lakers would amount to much of anything in the final years of LeBron James' career.
Over the past couple of years, there have been many questions about the direction LA should take, including whether to trade Austin Reaves. The 26-year-old is in his fourth season with the Lakers, and his name has been wrapped up in trade speculation for a large chunk of that time. LA refused to part with Reaves in a trade for De'Aaron Fox before he was sent to San Antonio, a decision that looks smarter by the day.
Los Angeles has its franchise player to lead the team past the LeBron era in Luka, and Reaves' latest stretch has proven that he's more than worthy of hanging around in LA, too.
Reaves is averaging 28 points, 7.6 assists, and 7.0 rebounds per game in the last five contests with LeBron sidelined, shooting 48.5% from the field and 40% from three. He's exceeded 30 points twice during that span -- 37 against Denver (with LeBron and Luka out) and 30 against San Antonio.
Austin Reaves led the way for the Lakers in their 2nd win in 2 days!
ð 30 PTS
ð 7 REB
ð 6 AST
ð 2 STL
ð 5 3PM pic.twitter.com/HJsMlfTb5e
— NBA (@NBA) March 18, 2025
Austin Reaves is playing the best basketball of his Lakers career
Jovan Buha of The Athletic said earlier this month on his podcast that LA is expected to offer Reaves a four-year extension worth around $88-90 million when he becomes eligible in July. Buha also said he expects Reaves to decline that offer and test free agency next summer (2026) when he can decline his $14.9 million player option for 2026-27.
Reaves' value has risen significantly over the past couple of months and even more so the past week. The Lakers are in the midst of a brutal stretch in their schedule -- playing six games in eight days -- and Reaves has shined in every game but one so far. They've played four games in the last five days, and Reaves has yet to cool off.
Luka Doncic on Austin Reaves: “This guy just scored 30 in his fourth game in five days. He's an amazing player. For him to go undrafted is unbelievable.” #Lakeshow pic.twitter.com/QBUJUFoAgr
— LoJo Media (@LoJoMedia) March 18, 2025
Reaves turned into a fan favorite in LA after going undrafted. He signed a two-way contract with the Lakers and earned a standard deal less than two months later. Reaves went from a no-name to one of LA's most important players.
It's wild to think that the Lakers could've traded him when things looked bleak, but luckily, that never happened. Reaves is where he's meant to be -- repping the purple and gold in LA. Hopefully, that doesn't change, at least not for a while.