Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves has firmly addressed recent trade speculations ahead of the 2025 NBA offseason, affirming his intention to remain with the Lakers and pursue a championship with the franchise. Following the Lakers’ consecutive first-round exits, heated discussions questioned Reaves’ future, but the player and his agent have both pushed back on the rumors.
Trade Speculations Ignite After Early Playoff Exit
The Lakers faced another early playoff elimination after failing to advance beyond the first round for the second straight season, provoking intense criticism directed at Austin Reaves. His performance notably declined during the Minnesota Timberwolves series, where he averaged just 16.2 points and under four assists per game, prompting widespread debate about his role and potential trade value. Reaves’ decreased output led to mounting speculation that the Lakers might consider trading him over the summer, a rumor his agent Aaron Reilly openly challenged.
Reilly sparked controversy with a tweet dismissing doubters, asserting,
“Next year is going to be a show. People have no idea what’s to come. Keep putting him in trade rumors for second string centers.”
This confident declaration framed the ongoing narrative around Reaves’ future on the Lakers.
In a recent conversation with interviewer Trevor Lane, Austin Reaves reflected on his agent’s bold message, sharing,
“Honestly, I think it’s funny. I think he called me right after ‘Hope you don’t mind.’ I was like ‘I really don’t care.’”
Through this exchange, Reaves revealed his composure regarding the public discourse surrounding his career, choosing to focus on improving rather than reacting to speculation.
Focused on Improvement, Unbothered by External Noise
Reaves emphasized that external opinions will not change his work ethic or approach to the game, maintaining,
“I mean anything anybody’s gonna say is not gonna bother how I approach things or anything. I’m gonna go try to do the same thing I’ve done the past four years and that’s get better every summer.”
He also recognized that his agent’s assertive tweets are not new, recalling a similar message from the prior year that preceded one of his best seasons.
“I’m pretty sure, I think he had a tweet like that before last year. And then I go on and I have my best season of my career. I like to continue to grow and get better and I just kind of leave all the bulls— at the door,”
Reaves stated. His dedication to continual progress was clear despite the playoff setbacks, underscored by his strong regular season statistics where he averaged 20.2 points and nearly six assists per game. Many have recognized Reaves as a legitimate member of the Lakers’ core alongside stars LeBron James and Luka Dončić.
Commitment to the Lakers Grows Stronger
Over his four-year tenure, Austin Reaves has transformed from a largely overlooked undrafted player into a cherished leader for the Lakers, acknowledged for his relentless effort and continuous development. His contributions have earned the respect of teammates, including LeBron James, who praised Reaves’ toughness and skill by saying,
“Yeah AR, he’s tough as nails. His game is, he’s great.”
This mutual respect reinforces Reaves’ ambition to remain a Lakers player for the entirety of his career.
Reaves openly declared his loyalty during interviews, expressing,
“I want to play my whole career in LA. I love it there. I love the fans. Love the weather, love the golf. And obviously the Lakers is the best organization in basketball.”
He further detailed his deep personal connection to the team, explaining,
“I grew up a Lakers fan. I was a huge Kobe fan. For the Lakers to be the first team that I was involved with, obviously on the two-way and then the contract, kind of just the story and the fans in LA have treated me great ever since Day 1. It feels like a second home to me.”
Embracing Laker Nation and Chasing Championship Aspirations
The relationship between Reaves and Lakers fans has blossomed uniquely, with Lakers supporters welcoming him as one of their own. Reaves stresses his desire to reciprocate by playing a pivotal role in bringing the franchise a championship.
“I feel like we are right there to creating something special. I wanna win a championship more than anything, especially with that organization. So, yeah, I wanna be there,”
he affirmed, underscoring his commitment to the team’s shared goals.
Currently, Reaves is under contract with the Lakers for two more seasons, including a $14.8 million player option for the 2026-27 campaign. His comments suggest that he intends to pursue a contract extension, possibly by declining the player option and remaining with Los Angeles beyond his current deal. If his progression continues at the current pace, Reaves could realize his ambition of spending his entire NBA career with the Lakers while becoming a cornerstone of their pursuit for NBA glory.
As the Lakers prepare for the upcoming offseason, the focus will be on solidifying their roster around players like Reaves, whose combination of skill, work ethic, and dedication aligns with the franchise’s championship vision. With his agent’s confidence and his own steady improvement, Reaves appears poised to shake off the recent doubts and help lead the Lakers into a successful future.