The Los Angeles Lakers are heading into a pivotal summer for their franchise. After making a blockbuster trade for Luka Doncic during the 2024-2025, the team did well. They finished with a 50-32 record overall, which was good for third in the NBA's Western Conference.
Unfortunately, the Lakers ran into a Minnesota Timberwolves team in the first round that proved to be too much for them. The Timberwolves knocked the Lakers off in five games. Now the Lakers sit on the outside looking in at the Conference Finals going on. They are bracing themselves for what could be an insane summer for the Lakers franchise as far as player movement goes.
Austin Reaves has proven to be an integral part of the Lakers' team as currently constructed. Reaves had a great 2024-2025 season. Reaves averaged 20.2 points per game on the season, while also grabbing 4.5 rebounds and dishing out 5.8 assists. Despite the season Reaves had, he flamed out in the NBA Playoffs. Reaves did not have a good first-round series against the Timberwolves, and now rumors are buzzing about the Lakers cutting ties with Reaves.
The first player on the NBA trade block Reaves could be moved for this summer, is current Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant.
Durant is currently 36 years old, but he still has a lot left in the tank. Durant and the Suns have made it known that they will work diligently together to trade Durant to the destination of his choice. That destination could be Los Angeles in a Lakers uniform. Durant showed up at two Los Angeles Sparks games this past weekend. Was this Durant throwing hints to the Lakers and their fanbase that he wants to be there? Or was this just him enjoying some WNBA basketball?
There will be potentially another huge NBA superstar on the market if he requests a trade this summer. That player is current Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo. Antetokounmpo is widely expected across NBA circles to request a trade out of Milwaukee very soon. If and when this happens, the Lakers are expected to make a play for the Bucks' superstar.
The Lakers know they have to be proactive this summer. Reaves is a valued asset to the organization. However, with the potential players on the trade block this Summer. Reaves could end up being the odd man out.