Lakers fans might be celebrating the arrival of Luka Doncic, but the reality is the “Showtime Lakers” aren’t officially back just yet. Despite the excitement, Los Angeles has been humbled in three consecutive postseasons — falling twice to the Nuggets and most recently to the Timberwolves.
One of the biggest challenges the Lakers face now is dealing with their “Austin Reaves dilemma.” Reports suggest the team offered Reaves a contract extension, but he declined, aware that he could secure a much bigger payday in free agency.
That leads to an important question: when LeBron James eventually leaves, can Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves truly carry this team to a championship? If the answer is no, then the logical move might be to trade Reaves before he commands a $40 million per year contract.
Enter the Portland Trail Blazers.
Here’s a potential trade scenario that gives Portland a quality guard to pair with Scoot Henderson and their promising young center Donovan Clingan. In return, the Lakers would land one of the league’s emerging stars, Deni Avdija. This isn’t a report — it’s a prediction.
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Austin Reaves Lakers Trade Proposal
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: F Deni Avdija & C Robert Williams III
Portland Trail Blazers Receive: G Austin Reaves & F Jared Vanderbilt
Why Avdija Makes Sense for the Lakers
Avdija’s playing style shows flashes of Luka Doncic — from his knack for drawing fouls to his ability to slow down and control tempo on drives to the rim. He’s shown what his ceiling can look like as a team’s first or second option, constantly creating opportunities for teammates by attacking off the dribble. His vision and playmaking rank among the best in the league.
This past season marked the first time Avdija truly took on a lead role, and he guided his team to an impressive 18–9 record down the stretch. The Lakers, on the other hand, have struggled to find consistent offense beyond Doncic and LeBron James, and Avdija could help solve that issue.
Why the Lakers Might Trade Austin Reaves
Reaves put together a strong regular season, but when the playoffs came, his efficiency dipped — shooting just 31% from three. Though he still averaged 16 points per game, his defensive performance was lacking. Doncic already carries a heavy offensive load for most of the game, and because of that, he needs a running mate who can handle the defensive responsibilities — something Reaves hasn’t consistently provided.
