Lakers predicted to cut ties with Austin Reaves, acquire Luka Doncic's ex-$22 million teammate

The Los Angeles Lakers may partner with the Dallas Mavericks again this summer to complete a blockbuster trade. 

Considering the Mavericks possess a skilled 21-year-old big man who previously shared the floor with Luka Doncic in Dallas, Sports Illustrated’s Jackson Caudell believes that a teammate reunion could be in order. 

“Why the Lakers do this trade (Naji Marshall and P.J. Washington to the Atlanta Hawks, Austin Reaves, Dalton Knecht, Georges Niang, Shake Milton, a 2027 second round pick, and a 2029 second round pick to the Mavericks, and Dereck Lively II and Terance Mann to the Lakers),” Caudell wrote Sunday. 

“Yes they lose Reaves, but they get one of the best centers in the NBA and one that has plenty of familiarity with Doncic. They keep their picks and have other expiring deals they can send out to upgrade the rest of their roster around Doncic, Lively, and (LeBron) James.”

“Reaves is going to be due a massive contract extension soon and if the Lakers are building around Doncic and James, it might be best to deal him now for a young center. Mann can provide them with better depth on the bench than they currently have.”

Although Lively shouldn’t be regarded as a superstar center, he’s among the best pick-and-roll finishers Doncic has played with thus far. 

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Lively’s patience as a perimeter screener and impressive ball-tracking ability allowed him to feast in ball screen situations with Doncic. 

Last season, the Duke product averaged 8.8 points and 6.9 rebounds per game on an NBA finals-bound Mavericks club, shooting a remarkable 74.7% from the field.

Injuries limited Lively to 36 games this year, but he was undeniably productive when healthy. The 7-foot-1 frontcourt asset contributed 8.7 games and 7.5 rebounds per contest. 

Reaves could have left no doubt that he deserved to be included in the Lakers’ future with an electric postseason showing. 

However, the breakout 6-foot-5 star didn’t leave his mark alongside Doncic and James, making it challenging to justify retaining him while being in the market for a center.

Lively and Reaves could soon switch places.

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