Every empire faces storms after the calm, and the Los Angeles Lakers are no different. The offseason has arrived, but peace is nowhere in sight as the roster begs for a reset. JJ Redick showed promise in his first year, yet his playoff choices, especially involving Jaxson Hayes, raised eyebrows. Still, that’s not their biggest worry (or maybe it is). Behind the scenes, a new threat quietly grows. One that could steal away Austin Reaves when they need him the most.

Redick’s prized possession, AR, who, he believes, is one of the most crucial players for them, might be looking for a way out. Well, Reaves in certain clutch games had emerged as a game-changer for the Lakers. However, his postseason run was a lackluster story. But then, he was never out of the trade conversation as Rob Pelinka and the front office have looked into the market in search of the missing pieces.

Simply put, Austin Reaves’ future with the Los Angeles Lakers is in jeopardy. The Oklahoma standout may not be around much longer. Recently, Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report dropped a telling update on where things stand. It adds a new layer to the Lakers’ growing list of concerns. “Reaves is nearly sure to decline his $14.9 million player option for the 2026-27 season to explore unrestricted free agency next summer, seeking a salary in the $30 million starting range,” Pincus wrote last Friday.

“The most he can extend for ($19.5 million) is far short of that number. Any team acquiring him would need behind-the-scenes assurances that he’d re-sign at a pre-arranged price, although they wouldn’t be technically legal or binding.”

Austin Reaves looked like the third star for the Lakers during the regular season. He averaged 20.2 points, 5.8 assists, and 4.5 rebounds while shooting 46% from the field and 37.7% from deep. But the playoffs told a different tale. His numbers dipped to 16.2 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 3.6 assists with shaky efficiency. Now, even if he stays next season, Eric Pincus warns that 2026 free agency could get messy.

Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Lakers‘ sophomore, Jaxson Hayes, publicly talked about his discontent over JJ Redick’s playoff choices that found him on the bench when he could’ve been of some help. At the same time, somebody from Chicago is making some ripples in the trade market. And this could end LA’s locker room tension for the next season.

Amidst Austin Reaves and Jaxson Hayes’ concerns, LA finds new hope in a 6’10” star

Senior Lakers insider, Anthony Irwin, reported that Jaxson Hayes reportedly wasn’t thrilled with his role on the Lakers toward the end of the season and isn’t expected to stay in L.A. He wrote: “In terms of returning talent, sources say there is an outside chance of Jaxson Hayes returning, but he wasn’t thrilled about his role disappearing in the postseason and the money he lost as his minutes dwindled.” From the Lakers’ side, tough questions are already swirling. Has Redick begun to lose trust in him? How would he react to a new face taking his minutes? And can he stomach the looming reality of a quiet demotion this summer?

Meanwhile, as the Lakers wrestle with their Hayes dilemma, the Bulls have their own storm brewing. Sitting at a crossroads, Chicago may be inching toward a major shakeup that could benefit LA. At the heart of it is their 6’10” center, Nikola Vucevic, the reliable big man with a soft shooting touch and hard presence inside. His steady play has been a lifeline, but now, trade rumors are beginning to swirl around him like a slow-building tornado.

Vucevic inked a $60 million fully guaranteed deal in 2023, locking in an average of $20 million per year. That faith came with a price. He earned $18.5 million in 2023, eating up 13.61 percent of the Bulls’ cap. But the real weight hits in 2025 when his salary climbs to $21.5 million. This investment signals trust. Still, with Chicago’s direction uncertain, his contract could soon become currency for change.

Now, as you can see, every storm tests the foundation it crashes upon. For the Lakers, that storm is already here. Between Austin Reaves’ uncertain future, Hayes’ quiet frustration, and Vucevic’s looming presence, the pieces are moving fast. Sooner or later, the front office must decide—patch the cracks or build something bold. Either way, the clock’s ticking, tirelessly.