The Los Angeles Lakers are confronting an urgent dilemma as they search for a dependable starting center, a gap that has become increasingly difficult to ignore. With the 2024 NBA trade season underway and their need at center well-known, the Lakers face pressure to make a tough decision involving Austin Reaves amid growing trade rumors.

While Austin Reaves has proven himself to be a key contributor, the Lakers’ shortage of attractive trade assets weakens their negotiating leverage, exposing them to potential exploitation by other teams.

Why Austin Reaves Has Become the Focal Point in Trade Discussions

Rumors suggest that teams have begun or are preparing to inquire about acquiring Austin Reaves. Despite the Lakers showing no clear intention to part with him, voices close to the team say this stance may require an immediate reevaluation. As Dan Woike of the Los Angeles Times said on the Dan Patrick Show,

“have shown no indication they’re going to trade Austin Reaves,”

but that position may not be sustainable.

The difficult part lies in reconciling Reaves’ value with the team’s urgent needs. From undrafted rookie to full-time starter in four seasons, Reaves developed into the Lakers’ third-leading scorer and a reliable distributor during a season that ended with 50 wins. The Lakers are aware of his rise and the impact he brings.

Woike emphasized the significance of the faith placed in Reaves, including from a crucial external voice:

“Luka Dončić believes in Austin Reaves.”

This endorsement underlines the importance of any Lakers decision with regards to Reaves, especially since Dončić’s performance and contentment are closely linked to the Lakers’ future strategy.

Trading Reaves: A Strategic Move Despite Its Cost

Reaves’ connection with Dončić does not automatically rule out his departure. Dončić has experienced success alongside other offense-oriented guards, such as Kyrie Irving and Jalen Brunson. What matters more is that Dončić urgently needs a stronger presence at center — precisely what Reaves can help acquire in a trade.

The Lakers’ current trade assets outside of Reaves remain limited. Prospects like Dalton Knecht, future first-round picks, or salary fillers receive little serious consideration when proposing deals for young centers like Jalen Duren, Onyeka Okongwu, or Walker Kessler, all players the Lakers hope to target.

Adding Reaves to a trade package improves the Lakers’ standing significantly, opening dialogues that previously ended in dismissal. Teams seeking perimeter scorers—such as those with Cade Cunningham, Trae Young, or Lauri Markkanen—may be more inclined to negotiate when Reaves’ offensive skills are part of the deal. With his efficient averages of 20.2 points per game on 46% field goal shooting, 37.7% from three, and 87.7% from the free-throw line, Reaves is a coveted asset.

However, acquiring any of those promising young centers without including Reaves appears unrealistic. The Lakers must consider the harsh trade-off between losing Reaves and addressing their critical weakness at center.

Exploring Alternatives Without Trading Austin Reaves

Without surrendering Reaves, potential acquisitions like Mark Williams, Nic Claxton, or Robert Williams III come into play. But these options offer only partial solutions. Mark Williams was available previously without requiring Reaves, Nic Claxton’s inconsistent performance and relative lack of size undermine his fit, and Robert Williams III’s significant injury history limits his reliability.

Consequently, these alternatives may not be enough to fix the Lakers’ center deficiency, which remains a glaring vulnerability on their roster.

The Wider Implications and Future Outlook for the Lakers

There is also the looming factor of Austin Reaves’ upcoming free agency in 2026, raising concerns that the Lakers might lose him for nothing if they retain him now without resolving their center problem. While Reaves’ offensive talents improve what the Lakers already do well, they do not address the team’s defensive and interior challenges.

Given these dynamics, trading Reaves for a true impact center stands out as the most viable strategy to strengthen the Lakers’ chances of contending for an NBA title. This move, though painful, may prove necessary for long-term success and to remedy the roster’s pressing shortcomings.