Amid a flurry of offseason speculation surrounding the future of Austin Reaves, his agent Aaron Reilly took to X to issue a fiery public statement:
“Next year is going to be a show. People have no idea what’s to come. Keep putting him in trade rumors for second string centers.”
The message was a direct clapback to growing trade buzz, and a not-so-subtle warning to those doubting Reaves’ value to the Lakers or his trajectory in the NBA.
Reaves, coming off the best season of his young career, averaged 20.2 points, 5.8 assists, and 4.5 rebounds on 46 percent shooting and nearly 38 percent from three. In a year filled with change, including the blockbuster trade for Luka Doncic, Reaves stood out as the Lakers’ third star, forming an efficient offensive trio with Doncic and LeBron James.
His growth as a shot-creator, secondary playmaker, and clutch performer earned him respect around the league and made him a fan favorite in Los Angeles.
But despite his rise, trade rumors have swirled. The Lakers’ pressing need to address the center position has made Reaves a tempting trade chip for front office executives seeking to add rim protection and rebounding.
With Anthony Davis gone and the Lakers experimenting with makeshift bigs like Jaxson Hayes and Maxi Kleber, Rob Pelinka is exploring all avenues to build a more balanced contender around Luka and LeBron.
Still, the idea of trading Reaves for “second-string centers,” as Reilly sarcastically framed it, has drawn criticism and his statement reflects growing frustration. The Lakers reportedly are only willing to part with Reaves in exchange for an elite big, such as Nic Claxton or Daniel Gafford, but nothing material has developed.
Reaves remains under contract with a team option looming in 2026–27, though he’s expected to opt out and pursue a lucrative payday. If he does, he could command up to $42.5 million annually as a free agent, a figure that has front offices both intrigued and cautious.
Reaves’ postseason dip, he averaged 16.2 points on 41 percent shooting while playing through a toe injury, provided ammunition for his critics, but his regular-season body of work speaks for itself. Before Doncic’s arrival, Reaves frequently took over primary playmaking duties in LeBron’s absence and proved capable of running an offense.
The Lakers’ 50-win season wouldn’t have been possible without his contributions on both ends.
As of now, JJ Redick and the Lakers front office appear committed to keeping Reaves, viewing him as a long-term foundational piece alongside Luka Doncic. But with trade rumors swirling, especially around centers like Mitchell Robinson, Brook Lopez, and Gafford, the possibility remains that Reaves could be sacrificed if the right deal emerges.
Aaron Reilly’s message underscores what many Lakers fans believe: Reaves is far more than a trade piece. He’s a rising star, a core piece of their future, and a player whose next act may silence every critic still questioning his ceiling. The Lakers may soon face a defining choice: build with him or risk watching the “show” happen somewhere else.
