NBA free agency begins on Monday, June 30, 2025, but the Los Angeles Lakers may be better suited to make a splash via trade. With an expensive payroll, Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka may be looking to strike another blockbuster NBA trade.
Outside of Luka Doncic and LeBron James, the Lakers most valuable trade asset is Austin Reaves. With the scoring guard headed for an eventual lucrative contract, Bleacher Report’s Connor Thoms pondered three potential deals for Reaves.
The Athletic’s Dan Woike reported that Reaves declined a $90 million contract extension with Los Angeles. Chances are a deal will eventually get done, but it is worth exploring what the Lakers could net in return for the guard if Los Angeles opted to move in a different direction.
Thoms labeled the Utah Jazz, Toronto Raptors and Brooklyn Nets as the top potential landing spots for Reaves. One trade proposal has the Lakers landing two possible starters in exchange for the guard.
The proposed trade has the Lakers acquiring Jazz playmaking guard Collin Sexton, center Walker Kessler and a protected first-round pick. Los Angeles would send Reaves and Jarred Vanderbilt to Utah as part of the deal.
Let’s dive into if this trade makes sense for the Lakers.
Proposed NBA Trade Has Lakers Swap Austin Reaves for Jazz Duo of Collin Sexton & Walker Kessler
Los Angeles has long been linked to Kessler, but so far it appears the front office has been unwilling to pay the Jazz’s asking price in a trade. Acquiring Sexton in addition to Kessler lessens the blow of the Lakers cutting ties with Reaves.
“For the Lakers with this (deal), it’s a two-for-one where you get another good guard to bring you some offensive punch in Collin Sexton, who I still believe is pretty underrated just because he plays in Utah,” Thoms detailed in a June 27, live stream. “He’s put up some really good numbers over the last few years ever since he got there in the Donovan Mitchell deal.
“And I feel like Collin Sexton makes a lot of sense to come in (and) either be a scorer off the bench for them. Be that kind of very bucket getting type of sixth man or you can put him in the backcourt with Luka.”
Lakers Rumors: LA Continues to Be Linked to Jazz Center Walker Kessler
The more likely outcome for the Lakers is Reaves eventually re-signs with the team. Reaves is currently on a four-year, $53.8 million contract with the Lakers and has a player option for the final season that would allow the guard to be a free agent in 2026.
By comparison, Sexton is heading into the final season of a four-year, $70 million deal. Kessler will also be in the final season of a four-year, $13.3 million rookie contract.
Sexton would give the Lakers some shooting and scoring lost by dealing Reaves. The guard posted 18.4 points, 4.2 assists and 2.7 rebounds per game while shooting 40.6% from long range in 63 appearances during the 2024-25 season.
The Lakers continue to be linked to centers in NBA rumors, and Kessler could be the best of the available options, if the Jazz are truly open to dealing the big man.
