Is Austin Reaves truly untouchable for the Lakers?

Austin Reaves turned heads with a breakout 2024–25 season for the Los Angeles Lakers, and now the rumor mill has him labeled “untouchable” as he’ll likely become Luka Doncic’s backcourt partner for the long run. But is it right to assume Reaves is a foundational member of the team's future?

Let’s break it down: Reaves averaged 20.2 points, 5.8 assists and 4.5 rebounds across 73 starts last season. He exploded with steals (1.1 per game), threes (2.7 per game on 37.7 percent shooting), consistency and even a 45-point game that put him in rare company alongside Kobe and LeBron. He’s not just a player—the Lakers built part of the offense around him.

Reaves declined a four‑year, $89.2 million extension from the Lakers. Why? It wasn’t drama. It was strategy. Reaves hopes to enter unrestricted free agency in 2026, where the Lakers—or another team—would likely offer something far more lucrative, perhaps in the neighborhood of five years, $246 million. People around the league expect the Lakers to bring him back at $30 million-plus per year, but that hasn’t triggered an immediate megadeal.

So is he untouchable? Not quite. Reaves himself reportedly wants to stay for life. He loves it in L.A., adores the fans and sees the Lakers as home. Multiple league execs expect he’ll re-sign—it’s not about leaving, it’s about timing and money. That said, he’s not absolutely sacred in trade discussions.

Rumors suggest the Lakers would move Reaves only under a very specific scenario—perhaps to land someone like Walker Kessler plus valuable picks. But trade value is tricky. His current deal—a team-friendly $13.9 million next year with a player option in 2026–27—makes it tough to match salaries for another blue-chip return. You’d have to give up more to make the math work.

The Lakers’ cap situation complicates things. They’re nearly at the luxury-tax apron, if not over, and resources are tight. They’ve already burned their MLE and bi-annual exception to sign Deandre Ayton, Marcus Smart, and others—so trading Reaves could free up some breathing room, but only if the return makes strategic sense.

Here’s the bottom line: Reaves isn’t untouchable in a literal sense. He’s immensely valuable, homegrown and rising in star power. But his contract and timing give both sides options. The Lakers can keep him—likely re-signing him at a premium in 2026—while retaining the flexibility to pivot if something better aligns.

Loyal, skilled and ready to bet on himself. That’s the real story. Austin Reaves isn’t immune to trade chatter—but for now, his performance and hometown chemistry all lean toward staying put.