The Los Angeles Lakers’ offseason is shaping up to be anything but ordinary. While big-name trades and free-agent signings usually dominate headlines, an understated subplot could quietly define the team’s next season. Austin Reaves and his relationship with superstar Luka Doncic are at the center of this quiet tension.

Reaves has steadily grown into one of the Lakers’ most reliable contributors. His scoring, floor spacing, and secondary playmaking make him a great complement to the team’s stars. On paper, the front office has been clear: Reaves is untouchable. However, in the NBA, even firm stances are rarely set in stone when player influence comes into play.

NBA insider Anthony Irwin recently highlighted this potential dynamic: “Their other hardline stance was that we are absolutely not trading Austin Reaves. And I do kind of wonder if Luka applies the right pressure if that kind of changes things too.” He added, “Not saying that Luka would stomp into the office and say trade this guy right now. I think Luka likes playing with Austin, I know Austin likes playing with Luka, but like it does make me watching them kind of have this about-face this summer [makes me wonder] what’s possible going into next season.”

The intrigue isn’t about ultimatums or dramatic confrontations. Irwin emphasized that the dynamic is subtle: it’s not a matter of Doncic demanding moves but how his preferences could influence internal decision-making. “It does make me wonder what’s possible; if I should be rethinking what’s possible going into next season,” he said. This quiet endorsement highlights how Doncic’s comfort with Reaves could subtly shape the Lakers’ approach to roster decisions.

Reaves and Doncic have demonstrated impressive synergy on the court. In the 2024-25 season, Reaves averaged 20.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 5.8 assists per game alongside Doncic, with the Lakers going 18-8 in the 26 games they played together, reflecting a winning combination that significantly improved the team’s performance.

As the Lakers finalize plans for next season, the spotlight may not just be on trades or high-profile acquisitions. Instead, all eyes could be on a subtler dynamic: how superstar influence and player relationships interact with executive decision-making. With Reaves already considered one of the best shooting guards in the league, he also commands a big extension in the upcoming season. His impending free agency, alongside his interplay with Doncic, could open doors that Rob Pelinka and the front office hadn’t previously considered.

Potential Trade Offers for Austin Reaves

Several mock trades have positioned Austin Reaves as a potential target for other teams around the league, highlighting his value. In one scenario, the Lakers could send Reaves to the Kings in exchange for Keegan Murray and a 2027 first-round pick. Murray’s defensive versatility and scoring upside would strengthen Los Angeles’ frontcourt, but losing Reaves could disrupt the budding chemistry between him and Luka Doncic, which has already shown promising on-court synergy.

Another proposal involves a trade with the Brooklyn Nets, where the Lakers would acquire Nic Claxton, a defensive anchor and lob threat for Doncic, along with future draft assets. In return, Reaves and Gabe Vincent would head to Brooklyn. This move would address the Lakers’ need for rim protection and frontcourt depth while providing the Nets with a reliable scorer and floor spacer. Again, Doncic’s preference for maintaining his on-court chemistry with Reaves could subtly influence the Lakers’ willingness to pursue such deals.

Both scenarios illustrate the delicate balance the Lakers must navigate this offseason: optimizing the roster through trades while preserving team chemistry. Even with Reaves’ trade value attracting interest from multiple teams, Luka Doncic’s influence may tip the scales, making the front office weigh the cost of disrupting a developing superstar partnership against the potential long-term benefits of acquiring new talent.