It’s been a little while since trade rumors have linked Austin Reaves to some of the interesting destinations. But he’s committed to being a Laker for life.
Reaves, who has just completed his fourth season with the Los Angeles Lakers, is getting linked to teams as the NBA offseason approaches. After having the best season of his career, he has become one of the most coveted assets for the Lakers.
Despite the swirling rumors, Reaves has expressed a strong desire to stay in Los Angeles. He mentioned in a recent interview that he doesn’t pay much attention to the trade talks. According to him, he often hears about them from his mother, who keeps up with the news.
“I really don’t pay attention to any of it. If I hear it, it’s usually my mom asking me about it. Because I’m sure she scrolls all day long looking at that stuff, as a parent would do. At this point, it’s not in my control. I want to be in L.A. If they want to trade me, we’ll start something new somewhere else, but like I said, I want to be in L.A. I want to play my whole career in L.A. I love it there; I love the fans. … And obviously, the Lakers are the best organization in basketball,” Reaves said.
Austin Reaves says he wants to play for the Lakers for his entire career. pic.twitter.com/LKgMQeB3Q8
— LakersSpin (@LakersSpin) June 16, 2025
The Lakers are facing challenges after their playoff exit. They need to build a more competitive team in the Western Conference, especially after trading for Anthony Davis.
Austin Reaves’ Laker For Life Dream Faces Threat From Utah Jazz
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The 2026 offseason is shaping up to be a big deal for the Lakers, and a lot of that revolves around Austin Reaves.
With a player option for the 2026-27 season and a contract that he’s clearly outperformed, Reaves is in an excellent spot to hit free agency and potentially score a major payday.
But here’s the catch. The Lakers are likely to face stiff competition in keeping Reaves. One of the biggest threats could come from the Utah Jazz. Sam Vecenie from the Game Theory Podcast pointed to Reaves as the top target for Utah.
According to him, he’s a perfect fit for what they need right now.
Well, the Jazz could create a max contract spot just for Reaves, enabling them to compete financially with the Lakers. This means if he decides to explore free agency, Los Angeles might have to step up their offer to keep him.
Reaves could not only secure a lucrative contract, but he’d also get the chance to step into a bigger role with the Jazz.
Also Read: REPORT: Austin Reaves Likely To Decline Player Option With Lakers, Seeking Major Pay Raise In 2026
