Austin Reaves, along with Luka Doncic, has been tagged as the future of the Los Angeles Lakers. But what if he wasn’t around to see it through?
The 27-year-old sharpshooter is set to decline his $14.9 million player option this summer, making him an unrestricted free agent with the freedom to sign anywhere. He’s expected to return to the Lakers on a lucrative max contract, but there is a way the Dallas Mavericks can get him if things play out the right way.
Of course, the Mavericks and Lakers have a special history that features the iconic Luka Doncic trade. It was a move that changed the trajectory of two NBA franchises and forever altered the career of one of the game’s top superstars. To this day, Luka harbors great resentment over the trade, and he always makes a point to dominate against Dallas whenever he plays them in the regular season.
It’s hard to say if Reaves would consider joining the Mavericks, given their betrayal of Luka, but there is no guarantee he returns to Los Angeles. While both sides seem to prefer staying together, things could always change this summer, especially if the team underachieves in the playoffs. With Austin expected to demand roughly $240 million (despite never making an All-Star team), the Lakers may consider other options that can help them maintain their financial flexibility.
Similarly, Reaves may want the chance for a bigger role outside of Luka’s shadow. While the vibes are well and good now, that doesn’t mean things will stay that way, and Austin might decide to jump out on his own before he overstays his welcome. With his skillset, along with averages of 23.4 points, 4.7 rebounds, 5.6 assists, 1.1 steals, and 0.4 blocks per game on 48.9% shooting and 35.7% shooting from three this season, he’s the kind of guy who can lift a team to the next level of success. Still, the question remains: could it work in Dallas?
At 13th in the standings (24-52), this season is a lost cause for the Mavericks, but they are not too far off from being competitive. With Cooper Flagg and Kyrie Irving in tow, the talent is there to make some noise in the West if they can just stay healthy when it matters next season. But with competitors like the Thunder, Spurs, and Nuggets, they’re going to need much more firepower.
As a premium scorer who can stretch the floor and provide instant buckets, Reaves would only help the Mavericks become a real force in the West. He could mentor young guys like Cooper Flagg and work with Kyrie Irving to establish a championship culture in the locker room. On the court, their combined talents would provide the perfect blend of offense, keeping the Mavericks’ scoring fluid and consistent throughout the season.
Ultimately, it remains to be seen where Reaves will end up this summer, but the Mavericks would have to get creative if they want any chance at getting him. With practically no cap space in the offseason, a sign-and-trade would be required for the Mavericks, and the logistics would be difficult to work out. For a guy like Reaves, however, that kind of maneuvering would be worth it if it meant pairing him with Cooper Flagg for the next 5 years.
