Lakers predicted to cut ties with $53.8 million rising star in Mavs trade

It's been a wild year for the Dallas Mavericks.

The Mavs shocked the sports world in February when they traded Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers for Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a 2029 first-round pick.

While the AD-era Mavs looked impressive for a few quarters, injuries quickly derailed Dallas's 2024-25 season.

2025-26 will be affected, too. Kyrie Irving’s ACL tear has left a gaping hole in the Mavs' backcourt, which could force GM Nico Harrison to explore further bold trade options to keep Dallas competitive.

With the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft—widely expected to be Duke’s Cooper Flagg—the Mavericks are set to add a generational talent, but they still need a playmaker to run the offense in Irving’s absence. A potential deal with a familiar trade partner could provide the answer.

Bleacher Report’s Grant Hughes recently outlined a trade scenario that could address Dallas’ immediate needs: “With Kyrie Irving sidelined by a torn ACL, the Dallas Mavericks need somebody to run the offense. If they aren't going to trade the No. 1 overall pick and remain committed to building a win-now operation around Anthony Davis, they're short on the blue-chip assets it'll take to get a great one."

"Austin Reaves has never been an All-Star, but he's on the high end of what Dallas could potentially land," Hughes continued.

"Plus, we know the lines of communication between the Mavs and Los Angeles Lakers are wide open. Would L.A. part with Reaves (who's extension-eligible this summer) for a depth-boosting package built around P.J. Washington and Dereck Lively II? The latter certainly established chemistry with Luka Dončić when they played together and would be a battle-tested defensive anchor and lob-catcher the Lakers need."

"Reaves put up a 64.8 true shooting percentage and added 4.6 assists per game after the All-Star break last year. Production like that says he can run the show this season and slide in alongside a healthy Irving in 2026-27.”

While Kyrie recovers, Reaves’ versatility—capable of running the point or playing off-ball—would complement a core of Davis, Flagg, and Klay Thompson, while his $13.5 million annual salary is a bargain for his production.

For the Lakers, parting with Reaves would be tough, given his rise as a fringe All-Star and fan favorite. However, getting Lively back for Reaves would appeal to LA. Additionally, Washington, a versatile forward, would add depth to the Lakers’ frontcour

For a Mavericks team looking to get something going in the post-Luka era, landing Reaves could be the spark they need.