At the 2024-25 deadline, the Lakers traded with the Mavericks to acquire Luka Donsic. Along the way, they gave up Anthony Davis, Max Christie and the first round picks of 2029.
The Lakers added top five players in the NBA, but they didn’t have the proper supporting cast. 2024-25 Lakers were built around LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Now their star duo are LeBron and Luka Donsic. One NBA insider hopes the Lakers will move key parts of the roster this summer. Bill Simmons said Los Angeles is “will” Austin will trade again ahead of the 2025-26 season.
Has Austin Reeves already played his final game for the Lakers?
Bill Simmons predicts the Lakers will trade Austin Reeves
“When Reaves traded this summer and he traded, what they (the Lakers) will get back for him will seem to make it worse that they (Mavericks) didn’t take him to the deal.”
(h/t @rtnba )) pic.twitter.com/rkfeizyqoi
– nbacentral (@thedunkcentral) May 12, 2025
In 2021, Austin Reeves was not drafted from Oklahoma. Prior to the 2021-22 season, the Reaves signed a two-way contract with the Lakers. The 26-year-old played all four professional seasons in Los Angeles. Reaves averaged a career-high 20.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, 5.8 assists and 1.1 steel per game between 2024-25. He started 73 of the Lakers’ 82 games. Recently, one League Insider has shown strong Austin Reeves’ future.
Bill Simmons reported that the Lakers “will” to “trade leave” this summer. Despite Reaves’ career-best season, the Simmons believes the Lakers will move on from him. The team needs to be built around Luka Doncic and Lebron James. Los Angeles may want more spot-up shooters rather than players like Reaves who create their own shots.
Simmons added that the trading package the Lakers receive for Reeves will make the Dallas Mavericks even worse. Several analysts around the league believe the Lakers should have sent another first-round pick in either Austin Reeves or Luka Donsic’s deal. Bill Simmons is connected to the league and is a reliable source of information. He said the Lakers would “will” Austin Reeves this summer. It’s time to see whether Simmons was right and where Reeves continues his career.