While eight teams are battling it out for the championship, for the others, the offseason is unofficially underway. One of these teams is the Los Angeles Lakers, tipped to be among the favorites. The Purple & Gold’s season came to a disappointing end, as they were defeated by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the playoffs. After a disappointing end to the season, the Lakers have already shifted their focus to the next one as they aim to lift their 18th NBA championship. However, to achieve that, Los Angeles needs to address several gaps in their roster. A crucial offseason awaits the LA front office. But, how will they approach it?
The first thing that pops up at the top of anyone’s mind is their need for a starting-caliber center. However, they also need to address a few more spots, but the problem is these types of players don’t come for cheap. With almost no room to wiggle within the salary cap, it won’t be easy for the Lakers to make big moves unless they are willing to make a sacrifice. The one thing that we’ve learnt this season is that no one is “untouchable” in the league anymore. But, if you were to name players, Los Angeles won’t be listening to any offers for are LeBron James and Luka Doncic. So, anyone not named Luka or LeBron is on the table, including Austin Reaves.
In fact, according to sports journalist Bill Simmons, Reaves is a potential candidate. Ever since the Lakers found this diamond in the rough, the shooting guard has elevated his game every season. This season was the best-ever for the 26-year-old as he finished it averaging 20.2 points and 5.8 assists per game. So, trading Austin Reaves might come as a massive surprise, but Simmons seems quite confident about the move happening ahead of the upcoming season. “When Reaves gets traded this summer — and he WILL get traded – the stuff they [Lakers] get back for him is gonna make it seem worse that they [Mavericks] didn’t get him in the trade,” Simmons stated on his podcast, ‘The Bill Simmons Podcast.’
Bill Simmons on the Lakers & Austin Reaves:
“When Reaves gets traded this summer — and he WILL get traded – the stuff they [Lakers] get back for him is gonna make it seem worse that they [Mavericks] didn’t get him in the trade.”
via The Bill Simmons Podcast pic.twitter.com/dwoRwUJV9V
— NBA Retweet (@RTNBA) May 12, 2025
This could be an indication of Rob Pelinka and the rest of the Lakers’ front office’s attempt to land Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Milwaukee Bucks’ superstar, for the first time in his entire career, has remained open-minded for a move, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. Well, he could definitely bolster the Lakers’ roster with his incredible athleticism and two-way prowess. The Lakers will view this move as both a win-now and one for the future, as we know how good the two-time MVP already is. Moreover, he’ll also build the foundation alongside Luka Doncic for the franchise’s future. Just the idea of seeing the trio of LeBron James, Luka Doncic, and Giannis Antetokounmpo has sent the Lakers nation into a frenzy. “Welcome to the Lakers, Giannis,” one fan wrote on X.
The fans are already set to welcome Giannis Antetokounmpo in Southern California, as the internet reacts to this massive news.
The post Lakers Rumor: Austin Reaves’ Future Could Be in Jeopardy as Fans Beg Rob Pelinka to Make $175M Trade appeared first on EssentiallySports.
