A trade for Austin Reaves needs to come at the right price for the Los Angeles Lakers. There are a few teams in the NBA who can offer that.
The Lakers' asking price for Reaves will be steep this offseason if they were to consider a deal. There is a short list of teams who could give Rob Pelinka the value that is required for a decision that would be unpopular to a strong portion of Los Angeles.
Utah Jazz
This is the most obvious route the Lakers could take. There is already enough reason to be concerned about the Utah Jazz lurking as a potential destination in free agency during the summer of 2026 for Reaves.
Trading with them before that time comes cuts out the middle man, allowing the Lakers to recoup value and not have to concern themselves with the flight risk. The potential return package would be worth Pelinka's time.
Securing a dream center target like Walker Kessler, an impactful role player like Collin Sexton, and other pieces that could help the push for a championship would be a monumental acquisition for the Lakers. One that is undoubtedly worth some serious thought.
Boston Celtics
Continuing to monitor the developments from the Boston Celtics will be an important task for Pelinka this summer. Similarly to the Lakers, the Celtics just got a new ownership group. Unlike the Lakers, that regime is looking to shed costs.
Names like Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, and Kristaps Porzingis should invite some curiosity in trade packages. Although, only Brown or White would really be worth surrendering Reaves here.
Boston will be headed for a considerable makeover this summer after the Achilles injury of Jayson Tatum has set the franchise back from contention. Capitalizing on the Celtics' expected desire to shift gears could help the Lakers push themselves closer to matching their rivals in banner count.
This deal would likely require a third party help the Celtics truly achieve their goals on the trade market. A three-way call with someone like the Brooklyn Nets could be of interest to all parties involved.
Memphis Grizzlies
A new competitor has entered the conversation of late. The league is watching the Memphis Grizzlies closely after the trade that sent Desmond Bane to the Orlando Magic.
Since that moment, like vultures circling a corpse, rival teams are curious with the futures of both Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. in Memphis. The latter would be of interest for the Lakers. The Grizzlies big man will be entering the final year of his currently deal in 2025-26.
Sources like Shams Charania and Tim Bontemps have indicated sentiments that suggest the Grizzlies are 'not looking to deal either of their two remaining franchise cornerstones.' However, one would not be blamed for trying a phone call with their front office regardless.
This may be a situation of Pelinka needing to dial the number of the Grizzlies regarding Reaves, and not the other way around. However, there is enough justified reasoning to see the potential of the two sides connecting all the same.
