The Los Angeles Lakers are considering trade options for guard Austin Reaves amid their strong 2025-26 season start. Bleacher Report's Dan Favale has proposed the Detroit Pistons as a potential partner, citing Reaves' value as a reliable ball-handler. Reaves has averaged 31.1 points, 9.3 assists and 5.1 rebounds per game in 37.9 minutes.
The Los Angeles Lakers have begun the 2025-26 NBA season impressively, despite dealing with several injuries. A key factor in their success has been Austin Reaves, who has emerged as the team's third-best player in his fifth season with the franchise. At 27 years old, Reaves is projected to become an unrestricted free agent in the upcoming offseason, opening the possibility of a trade before the deadline.
Dan Favale of Bleacher Report recently questioned whether the Lakers should sell high on Reaves, listing the Detroit Pistons as a trade partner. Favale noted the Pistons' need for another reliable ball-handler alongside Cade Cunningham, especially with Jaden Ivey sidelined by a right knee injury and Caris LeVert slowed by a hamstring issue. "The Detroit Pistons were at their best last season when they had another reliable ball-handling outlet to play in tandem with and independent of Cade Cunningham," Favale wrote. "Between Jaden Ivey's right knee injury and Caris LeVert's hamstring issue/slow start, the offense has failed to replicate that element."
Favale suggested acquiring Reaves and his Bird rights would provide the Pistons with cap flexibility, especially given restricted free-agent status for Ivey and Jalen Duren. Potential trade pieces from Detroit could include Isaiah Stewart, Ron Holland II, first-round picks, or even Duren, though Ausar Thompson is likely off-limits. For the Lakers, any deal for Reaves would likely require a superstar in return, as his below-market contract makes him a valuable asset. However, no such superstar trades are currently indicated early in the season.
Reaves has excelled, contributing significantly to the Lakers' early success.