Lakers Predicted To Send Out Austin Reaves in Major Trade for $175 Million Superstar

Austin Reaves is having an All-Star-caliber season for the Los Angeles Lakers (16-6).

With nearly two dozen regular season games in the books, Reaves is averaging 29.3 points, 6.8 assists, and 5.5 rebounds on 52.5% shooting and 37.2% shooting from three-point range. It’s clear he is a crucial part of this Lakers team that is the No. 3 seed in the loaded Western Conference.

All signs point to Reaves remaining in Los Angeles for at least the rest of the 2025-2026 season unless a blockbuster trade opportunity is too good to pass on.

Lakers Predicted To Land Giannis Antetokounmpo

The Milwaukee Bucks (10-14) are failing to compete in the Eastern Conference, as they are the No. 10 seed. A rough December is likely ahead of them, as superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo suffered a calf strain that will sideline him for two to four weeks.

In the midst of Antetokounmpo’s injury, trade rumors surrounding the two-time MVP are exploding. This stems from a report from ESPN’s Shams Charania about “whether his [Antetokounmpo’s] best fit is staying [in Milwaukee] or elsewhere.”

Because of this, CBS Sports’ Sam Quinn predicts the Lakers could send out Reaves in a major trade for Antetokounmpo in the coming months. The proposed details of the trade are as follows:

Lakers receive: Giannis Antetokounmpo

Bucks receive: Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, Maxi Kleber, Gabe Vincent, Dalton Knecht, Los Angeles’ unprotected first-round pick in 2031, unprotected first-round swap rights with Los Angeles in 2026, 2028, 2030 and 2032

“Oh, you don’t think the Lakers have enough to trade for Giannis? That’s cute. I bet you didn’t think they could get Luka Dončić either. The normal rules just don’t apply to this team,” Quinn wrote. “If Antetokounmpo gives the Bucks a list, there’s a good chance the Lakers are on it. And frankly, given his ascension to All-Star status, Austin Reaves is not an unreasonable centerpiece in a deal like this.”

The Lakers acquiring Antetokounmpo would be NBA-altering. A duo of Luka Dončić and Antetokounmpo could terrorize the league for years to come, as the former inked an extension with L.A. in the offseason and the latter has two guaranteed seasons remaining on his three-year, $175 million contract.

Giving up Reaves would be tough, but it’s the price necessary to pay if the Lakers hope to win the Antetokounmpo bidding war against teams such as the New York Knicks, Houston Rockets, and Oklahoma City Thunder.