Austin Reaves is putting up numbers that are hard to ignore. From going undrafted in 2021 to landing a four-year, $53.8 million deal in 2023, the guard has transformed himself into one of the Lakers’ most reliable options. Last season, he set career highs with 20.2 points, 5.8 assists, and 4.5 rebounds, while shooting 45.9% from the field and 37.7% from deep. In the playoffs, he added 16.7 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 4.2 assists across three postseason runs. But now, a bigger question is threatening him. Is he the Lakers’ future, or their best trade chip?
Before that question could even hit the conversation, Reaves made headlines in a different way this week. He reposted a clip from @swishcultures on his Instagram story. The post read: “CAM REDDISH ARRIVES IN LITHUANIA” with the caption, “Cam Reddish arrives in Lithuania to join his new team 🔥.” Reaves added his own stamp on it: “My dawg!!!!!” A small gesture, yes, but telling. It’s the kind of message that shows where his loyalties lie, even while his own NBA future remains a talking point in Los Angeles.
Because on the other side of this story sits Robert Horry, the seven-time champion turned analyst who doesn’t hesitate to challenge the Lakers’ front office. Horry floated the idea of a sign-and-trade involving Reaves, “if the Lakers were smart,” explaining that while he admires his game, duplications in skill sets make for tough roster fits. His point? Teams don’t win with two versions of the same player. The Lakers, Horry suggested, could maximize value now rather than lock up long-term money on Reaves.
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“I love AR and I think he could play,” Horry said. “But you don’t need two of the same players. The NBA is all about a fit. You love him, but from a business standpoint… if you can get something great for him, you deal it.” That’s a heavy reality for a player who has only just cemented himself as a starter-level talent. Reaves signed a four-year, $53.8 million deal in 2023, but the structure includes a player option for 2026–27 that he’s expected to decline. Which means, his future value is only going up.
The league’s rising cap suggests Reaves could command upwards of $30 million annually when his current deal expires. Brandon Harper, chiming in alongside Horry, didn’t deny his worth, just the Lakers’ appetite to pay it. “I have no problem with him demanding that number,” Harper noted. “It’s just whether or not that team is willing to pay it… and I don’t think the Lakers see him that way.” Now that kind of comment lands in a delicate spot for Reaves. On one hand, his connection with teammates like Reddish shows the loyalty of a player rooted in relationships.
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Austin Reaves’ place in LA’s bigger picture
On the other hand, his future in Los Angeles is constantly pulled into business conversations. That duality is the modern NBA in a nutshell. But Reaves’ rise has been remarkable. From going undrafted in 2021 to becoming a starter on one of the league’s most scrutinized teams, he’s defied the odds. His breakout moments, like dropping 23 points in his playoff debut or standing toe-to-toe with established stars, proved his ability to handle big stages. Fans have embraced him as more than just a role player.
He’s the underdog turned indispensable piece. Yet the Los Angeles Lakers’ priorities have shifted. The franchise remains centered on maximizing championship windows, whether with LeBron James or whoever comes after. That urgency collides with Reaves’ trajectory. If he continues to produce at this level, Los Angeles faces the choice of committing major money or leveraging him for established talent.
Meanwhile, Reaves’ game itself is versatile enough to warrant the debate. His ability to initiate offense, score off the dribble, and guard multiple positions makes him more than a redundancy. Horry’s comments about fit highlight a larger question about whether the Lakers view him as a cornerstone or a tradable asset. It’s not just about Reaves versus Luka Doncic comparisons. It’s about whether his ceiling aligns with their timeline. The financial side is unavoidable, too.
With the salary cap climbing and stars demanding max contracts, mid-tier deals are vanishing. Players like Reaves fall into the category where someone, if not the Lakers, will pay $30 million-plus to secure his services. That’s a market reality, not a gamble. And when you factor in that he’s already averaging over 20 points per game, the value checks out.
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For now, Reaves seems content focusing on basketball and backing his guys, whether they’re in Los Angeles or Lithuania. His “My dawg!!!!!” shout to Reddish was less about headlines and more about connection. But the timing, coming right as Horry stirred the sign-and-trade conversation, adds a layer of intrigue.
Because no matter how supportive he is of old teammates, Reaves is still fighting to cement his place in the Lakers’ long-term vision. His loyalty is obvious. The question is whether the Lakers will return it.