Lakers Would Only Trade Austin Reaves For Top Tier Center

The Los Angeles Lakers are considered highly unlikely to trade Austin Reaves unless they could acquire a top-tier big man in return, reports the Los Angeles Times. A player that fits that description is not expected to be available on the trade market.

Nic Claxton of the Brooklyn Nets and Daniel Gafford of the Dallas Mavericks are a pair of bigs who would make sense at a cheaper prince point.

The Lakers’ most attractive trade assets, outside of Reaves, are their 2031 first round pick and Dalton Knecht. Rob Pelinka previously used those assets to trade for Mark Williams of the Charlotte Hornets, but the Lakers ultimately rescinded the deal.

Reaves could sign an extension this offseason, but he is expected to become an outright free agent in 2026 when he can sign for significantly more money than an extension would currently allow.