Lakers Shock Trade: Austin Reaves Out for $36 Million Forward in Risky Move

The Los Angeles Lakers face the delicate task of maximizing veteran superstar forward LeBron James’ twilight years while prioritizing franchise cornerstone Luka Dončić’s best interests. Sports Illustrated’s Ethen Hutton proposed a trade he believes could help them do just that, while shoring up a glaring roster weakness.

LA already fortified its center position this offseason, landing Deandre Ayton, a nightly double-double threat. It also added two-way backcourt depth, signing 2022 NBA Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Smart.

Still, questions linger about the team’s frontcourt defense and all-around 3-point shooting, especially after the Lakers lost seasoned 3-and-D forward Dorian Finney-Smith to the Houston Rockets in free agency. Finney-Smith’s departure could necessitate another move from Lakers president of basketball operations and general manager Rob Pelinka to optimize his new-look squad.

How Is the Austin Reaves Trade Projected to Take Shape?

On Monday, Hutton outlined how LA could upgrade its frontcourt by shipping its tertiary scoring option, shooting guard Austin Reaves (20.2 points per game), to the Sacramento Kings.

Proposed Deal

Lakers Receive: Keegan Murray, 2027 first-round pick

Kings Receive: Austin Reaves

While Reaves is arguably a rising star after his breakout fourth season, Hutton envisions the addition of Murray balancing out the Lakers’ supporting cast by addressing their wing deficiency.

“The focus now shifts to consistent perimeter shooting from the wing. Moving a high-end asset like Reaves could help LA add a younger, developing player while filling a position of need, such as Keegan Murray,” Hutton wrote.

Additionally, the analyst foresees LA being financially motivated to move on from Reaves in anticipation of him possibly testing 2026 free agency.

“Reaves is in for a massive payday as he enters the third season of a four-year deal with a player option for the 2026-27 season,” Hutton speculated. “He is set to earn a deal with a yearly average in the ballpark of $30 million, but another step in production could help his case for a larger deal.

“Targeting Murray gives the Lakers a 3-point sniper on the wing, ultimately saving money without giving Reaves an extension.”

While Murray is entering the final year of his four-year, $36,371,093 rookie-scale contract, he is less proven than Reaves. As Hutton alluded to, retaining the 2022 No. 4 pick long-term should come at a far cheaper price. Meanwhile, the Lakers would receive a first-round pick in the hypothetical deal to potentially use as future trade ammunition.

What Risk Does the Trade Pose for the Lakers?

While a trade centered around Reaves for Murray could fine-tune LA’s James and Dončić-centric lineup, it may entail risk. Reaves, an established shot creator, is the best player in the deal and is only two years older (27) than Murray (25).

Moreover, Murray’s 3-point shooting has declined in each of his first three seasons from 41.1% as a rookie (2022-23) to just 34.3% last season, worse than Reaves (37.7%).

As such, the Lakers would be betting on the 6-foot-8 forward rediscovering his outside shooting touch alongside two of the league’s premier playmakers. While such a gamble could pay off, the Purple and Gold may be wiser to pursue a higher-certainty return in any prospective Reaves trade.