The Dallas Mavericks may be eyeing a familiar face to help stabilize their backcourt during Kyrie Irving’s absence, and Bleacher Report’s Zach Buckley believes Austin Reaves could be the perfect fit. In a hypothetical but intriguing trade proposal, Buckley suggests the Mavericks receive Austin Reaves and Shake Milton, while the Los Angeles Lakers land Dereck Lively II and P.J. Washington.
Dallas Mavericks receive: Austin Reaves, Shake Milton
Los Angeles Lakers receive: Dereck Lively II, P.J. Washington
On paper, this trade serves immediate needs for both sides. For Dallas, the idea is simple: find a secondary ball-handler who can keep the offense humming while Kyrie recovers from his ACL tear. Reaves fits that bill and more.
Despite playing as a third option behind LeBron James and Luka Doncic this past season, he still averaged 20.2 points, 5.8 assists, and 4.5 rebounds on efficient shooting splits. His playmaking has quietly grown sharper, with his assist-to-turnover ratio (5.8 to 2.4) ranking among the best for guards in his usage tier.
Reaves also brings preexisting chemistry with Anthony Davis and Luka Doncic, having already played alongside them in L.A. That familiarity could be exactly what the Mavericks want to recreate while Irving recovers, but this time Reaves would have the chance to operate more as a lead guard.
With Kyrie out, Reaves could thrive with greater on-ball responsibility, something he has shown flashes of when LeBron or Luka missed time.
However, the Lakers wouldn’t give up their undrafted gem lightly, especially after Reaves publicly declared he hopes to remain a Laker “for life.” In multiple interviews, including at his youth camp in Arkansas, he emphasized his love for the franchise, the fan base, and his belief in head coach JJ Redick.
That said, the proposed trade does give L.A. a chance to address glaring roster imbalances. Dereck Lively II would be a high-upside big man who’s already shown rim protection, athleticism, and chemistry with Luka in Dallas.
For a Lakers team that lacked size and consistency at center, Lively would be an ideal long-term piece. Meanwhile, P.J. Washington brings defensive versatility and floor spacing. With his size, switchability, and experience next to Doncic, Washington could give the Lakers some much-needed depth on the wing, something they desperately lacked during their early playoff exit.
From a strategic standpoint, this deal would represent a philosophical pivot for the Lakers. While Reaves is beloved and productive, the front office might view this trade as a way to build a more balanced, defense-first rotation around their core stars.
Of course, complications remain. Reaves is eligible for an $89.2 million extension this summer, and while he might decline it to hit free agency in 2026, the Lakers still hold leverage. The idea of trading him, especially after he’s openly committed to the team, would be unpopular, and it risks losing a key locker-room leader.
Yet with other teams like the Jazz reportedly dangling pieces like Walker Kessler and Collin Sexton, it’s clear the league sees Reaves as a valuable trade chip. If Dallas offers the right mix of youth and fit, this deal might just tempt L.A. to reconfigure its identity heading into a critical year.
