Austin Reaves entered the 2025 playoffs as the best player on the Lakers behind LeBron James and Luka Dončić.
His name was consistently thrown as part of the team’s “Big Three” and was viewed as a rising star who had a chance to make his mark during a postseason run.
Then the playoffs happen.
Under the scrutiny and pressure of being the star guard, Reaves shriveled up in the moment like a raisin left out in the sun. He averaged 16.2 points, 5.4 rebounds and 3.6 assists in the first round series against the Wolves.
These were well below his season averages, and his points were lower than any of his other playoff runs despite an uptick in minutes and field goal attempts.
It’s important to note that Austin wasn’t fully healthy during this playoff series. After the Lakers were eliminated, it was reported that Reaves was dealing with a big toe sprain during the series' final two games. That injury would typically take a player out of games for multiple weeks.
This poor outing, which resulted in the No. 3 seed Lakers mustering just one win, has fans and people around the league wondering if Reaves is next on the chopping block. Has he now become D’Angelo Russell, the Lakers' starting guard who will constantly be in trade talks until he is ultimately moved?
In his most recent newsletter, Dan Woike of the LA Times said that while Austin can be traded, it’s unlikely given the current market.
Two, he’s not viewed as “untradeable” because almost no one in the NBA is untradeable. But if the Lakers are going to trade him for a center, they’re going to want one that is foundationally important — a build-around type and not a fill-in toward the obvious need they have at center (and will need to address in other ways).
If one of the best centers in the NBA were available, the conversations might be different, but at least now, during the first part of the offseason, that just isn’t the case.
If the trade sending Anthony Davis to Dallas and Luka to Los Angeles taught us anything, it’s that no one is untradeable. However, just because it’s possible doesn’t mean it’s probable.
Yes, Austin gave an awful performance during the worst time possible, but that doesn’t change the fact that he’s a good player performing well beyond his current contract. The Lakers know this better than anyone, and Woike also illustrated that earlier in his newsletter.
One, the Lakers and the most important people in the organization all love Reaves and his journey from undrafted free agent to a talent that people think is All-Star caliber. And, at just $14 million next season, he’ll be one of the most productive players in the league per dollar minus some superstars on the very early stages of their rookie deals.
After the season ended, President of Basketball Operations Rob Pelinka reinforced his belief in Reaves’ play. Pelinka said his confidence in Reaves was at “an all-time high.”
So, clearly the organization is not suffering from recency bias.
As things stand right now, Reaves is still an electrifying player the Lakers love, who has yet to reach his prime. This postseason showed some flaws and was a setback, but a bump in the road isn’t the end of one’s path.
Until we hear more and see what free agency looks like, it seems likely that Austin will have a shot at redemption in a purple and gold uniform next season.
However, summer is just getting started, and how things look in late May could be very different from what they are in early July.
You can follow Edwin on Twitter at@ECreates88or on Bluesky at@ecreates88.bsky.social.