As the 2025 NBA offseason approaches, the Los Angeles Lakers face crucial roster decisions, especially regarding the Austin Reaves potential trade in 2025 NBA offseason. With Luka Doncic emerging as the franchise cornerstone and LeBron James still performing at a high level, Lakers GM Rob Pelinka must navigate limited financial flexibility to strengthen the team.
The conclusion of the 2024-25 season highlighted the Lakers’ need for enhanced defense and a true starting center. Given salary cap constraints, the franchise will likely have to explore creative trades to acquire key players or free up cap space. One option gaining attention is moving guard Austin Reaves in a major deal.
Details of the Proposed Four-Team Trade Involving Reaves
According to ESPN’s Zach Kram, a significant four-team trade could reshape multiple franchises. The centerpiece involves sending Milwaukee Bucks’ star Giannis Antetokounmpo to the Golden State Warriors. In this scenario, Austin Reaves would be traded from the Lakers to the Bucks, with several other players and draft picks exchanging teams.
The trade breakdown is as follows:
Golden State Warriors Receive: Giannis Antetokounmpo
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: Draymond Green, Daniel Gafford
Dallas Mavericks Receive: Gabe Vincent, 2031 First-Round Pick (Lakers), 2025 Second-Round Pick (No. 41)
Milwaukee Bucks Receive: Austin Reaves, Brandin Podziemski, Jonathan Kuminga (via sign-and-trade), Trayce Jackson-Davis, Maxi Kleber, 2029 and 2031 First-Round Picks (Warriors), 2030 First-Round Swap (Lakers)
This extensive swap would be a blockbuster for all involved, and the addition of Reaves could provide the Bucks with a promising young star to support their rebuild or future championship aspirations.
Austin Reaves’ Performance and Potential Role with the Bucks
During the 2024-25 season, Austin Reaves appeared in 73 games for the Lakers, averaging 20.2 points, 5.8 assists, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.1 steals per game. His shooting percentages included 46% from the field and 37.7% from beyond the arc. At 27 years old, Reaves has shown the ability to contribute significantly on both ends of the court.
If traded to Milwaukee, Reaves might step out from the towering shadows of Luka Doncic and LeBron James to become a focal point for the Bucks’ offense. This opportunity could allow him to establish himself as a leading star in the league.
Reaves’ Response to Trade Speculation
“I’m fully focused on helping the Lakers compete and will let the front office handle all trade talks.” —Austin Reaves, Lakers Guard
Despite the swirling rumors, Reaves appears committed to his current team, emphasizing concentration on the season’s remainder and trusting team management with potential moves.
While this proposed trade remains speculative and likely complex to execute, it raises interesting possibilities for the Lakers, Bucks, and Warriors heading into the offseason. How Los Angeles restructures around its stars while managing financial constraints will be a key storyline, and Austin Reaves’ future could play an important role in that process.