Lakers, Mavericks, could make deal again, this time surrounding Austin Reaves

The Los Angeles Lakers hit the jackpot signing Austin Reaves after he went undrafted in 2021.

Without LeBron James and Luka Dončić to begin the year, Reaves has taken over, averaging 34.2 points per game through five games. 

Within these games, he has had a 51-point game, a 41-point game, and a career-tying 16 assists in Wednesday night’s game against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Reaves is blossoming into a star, but he happens to be in the last year of his contract.

If the Lakers decide he is too expensive to keep, they may trade him during this season to capitalize on his value.

Few teams in the league could benefit from a ball handler like Reaves, but Bleacher Report’s Dan Favale believes one of them is the Dallas Mavericks.

“Few teams need someone who can dribble more than the Dallas Mavericks. The list of squads in front of them plummets to zero if Kyrie Irving doesn't return from an ACL injury this season,” Favale said Thursday.

“Building a workable deal gets fairly easy if you can find a third-party facilitator. The Mavs have a tantalizing young big man in Dereck Lively II alongside whom Dončić has already played, as well as two first-rounders they can dangle—including Los Angeles' own 2029 pick.”

A trade like this would likely require a third team involved, like Favale said, which wouldn’t be hard to find.

Contracts like Naji Marshall and Daniel Gafford become expendable, because Reaves would instantly put Dallas over the hump.

It also helps that Reaves has played alongside Dončić, which will translate to when Kyrie Irving comes back and he has to play off the ball.

Of course, Reaves has been outstanding so far, but it may be smart to get as many assets as you can before the Lakers’ two superstars come back.

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