Lakers predicted to cut ties with Austin Reaves, acquire $175 million Eastern Conference All-Star
The Los Angeles Lakers would land a franchise-altering forward in a blockbuster trade idea.
Lakers predicted to cut ties with Austin Reaves, acquire $175 million Eastern Conference All-Star originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here . The Los Angeles Lakers ’ upcoming offseason will say a lot about the franchise’s seriousness about winning a title in 2026-27.
An uneventful summer could signal that continued mediocrity is on the horizon. At the same time, a blockbuster move or two could significantly alter their ceiling for the 2026-27 season (in a positive way). In a new hypothetical trade idea , the Lakers would select the latter by using Austin Reaves to help them swing a big-time trade for a 31-year-old Eastern Conference All-Star.
“Reaves opts out of his $14. 9 million for 2026-27 to ink a four-year, $172 million contract with the Lakers as part of a sign-and-trade to the (Milwaukee) Bucks ,” Bleacher Report’s Eric Pincus wrote Thursday. “Milwaukee triggers a first-apron hard cap at a projected $209.
1 million to take in four Lakers for Antetokounmpo. Nick Smith Jr. is absorbed separately on a minimum contract, but he delays the entire transaction until July 12.