The Los Angeles Lakers are exploring a potential trade involving Austin Reaves for Jrue Holiday to improve their defensive capabilities, following a disappointing first-round exit against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Throughout the regular season, the pairing of Reaves and Luka Doncic showed promise, but their defensive struggles intensified during the playoffs, raising concerns about their fit on a team aiming to contend for another championship. The Lakers see acquiring Holiday, a two-time NBA champion known for his defensive prowess, as a possible solution to bolster their backcourt defense alongside LeBron James and Luka Doncic.
Trade proposals suggest that the Lakers would receive Jrue Holiday, while the Boston Celtics would get Austin Reaves, Gabe Vincent, and Dalton Knecht in return. Analysts point out that although Reaves has offensive talent, his defensive limitations alongside Doncic, who also struggles defensively, have hindered the Lakers’ postseason chances. LakerTom highlighted the financial and competitive implications of bringing in Holiday, noting the significant salary matching and payroll impact but emphasizing Holiday’s ability to contribute at both ends of the floor.
“For the Lakers, trading for 34-year-old Jrue Holiday is a totally different situation than trading for a younger player with a longer timeline,”
—LakerTom
“Both the matching salaries to trade and annual cost of payroll are much greater. What makes the trade still viable for the Lakers is just how well Jrue Holiday can still play at both ends of the court and the fact that the Lakers do want to optimize the championship chances for Luka Doncic and LeBron James.”
—LakerTom
Boston Celtics Face Roster Changes After Injury Setbacks and Salary Concerns
The Celtics, who entered the playoffs as strong championship favorites, suffered a setback when they were defeated 4-2 by the New York Knicks in the second round, compounded by Jayson Tatum’s severe Achilles injury. This injury is expected to sideline Tatum for most of the 2025-26 season, forcing Boston to reconsider its roster and financial commitments. With a projected payroll exceeding $500 million next season and substantial luxury tax penalties, the Celtics are under pressure to shed salary, especially contracts like Jrue Holiday’s and Kristaps Porzingis’ that exceed $30 million annually.
Given these financial constraints and Tatum’s long-term absence, the Celtics may be motivated to include Holiday in a trade, aiming to rebuild their roster with salary flexibility in mind while maintaining competitiveness in coming seasons.
Lakers Demand Quality Center in Any Austin Reaves Trade
While the Lakers are contemplating moving Austin Reaves, reports from Dan Woike of the LA Times indicate the team insists any trade involving Reaves must yield a high-caliber center to address their vulnerabilities in the frontcourt. The lack of size in the middle contributed to the Lakers’ 2025 playoff struggles, making a dominant big man a priority for GM Rob Pelinka and president of basketball operations JJ Redick.
“Lakers’ scouts and executives here in Chicago have openly spoken about the team’s needs at the center position — an obvious priority for Pelinka and Redick,”
—Dan Woike
“The team has shown no interest in using Reaves in a trade that nets them anything less than a top-tier big, and there aren’t any of those available, with the two most common names linked to them in the earliest stages of the offseason — Brooklyn’s Nic Claxton and Dallas’ Daniel Gafford.”
—Dan Woike
Reaves himself addressed the trade talks shortly after the Lakers’ season ended, expressing his desire to remain with the team. Speaking to Lakers Nation, he said,
“I want to be in L.A,”
—Austin Reaves
“If they want to trade me, then we’ll start something new somewhere else. But like I said, I want to be in L.A. I want to be in L.A and play my whole career here.”
—Austin Reaves
Performance Concerns Cast Doubt on Reaves’ Future Role in Playoffs
Austin Reaves had a breakout 2024-25 regular season with career-best averages of 20.2 points, 5.8 assists, and 4.5 rebounds per game; however, his production declined significantly during the playoffs. This drop-off contributed to the Lakers’ early exit and raised questions about his fit alongside defensive liabilities like Doncic. The Lakers appear caught between maximizing playoff success with a stronger defensive lineup or maintaining Reaves’ offensive contributions but risking continued postseason disappointment.
With the playoffs highlighting defensive weaknesses, the potential acquisition of Jrue Holiday is seen as a move that could turn the Lakers into a more balanced and competitive team. Still, the Lakers must navigate complex trade conditions, salary cap restrictions, and their need for a quality center to complement any deal centered around Reaves.