It’s time to gauge the market for Austin Reaves.

When the Los Angeles Lakers traded for Luka Doncic, there was an unspoken understanding amongst viewers and analysts that winning a championship would be an immediate priority. Doncic is 26 years of age and has already experienced significant postseason success, reaching two Conference Finals and the 2024 NBA Finals.

With Doncic holding Los Angeles to the standard of immediately competing at the highest level, the front office must realize how far gone the time for patience is.

Doncic is a five-time All-NBA First Team honoree and the 2023-24 scoring champion. He’s also a seven-year veteran who has been through the trials and tribulations of rebuilds and retools, and has rewarded a franchise for building around him by guiding his team to the cusp of a title.

According to Dave McMenamin of ESPN, an individual close to Doncic has made it clear that the 26-year-old wants to win now—and he isn’t going to be patient through a multi-year retooling.

Considering Doncic can become an unrestricted free agent and potentially leave the Lakers in 2026, that leaves the front office with just one choice: Begin fielding trade offers for Austin Reaves.

Lakers must begin fielding trade offers for Austin Reaves—even if they aren’t ready to accept

Doncic is a malleable talent who can play alongside any number of individuals, regardless of their style of play. He’s proven as much both in the NBA and on the international stages, which is a contributing factor to his status as one of the most coveted superstars in the NBA.

If there’s one formula that has proven unrivaled in its efficacy during Doncic’s career, however, it’s pairing him with a high-level combo guard.

Doncic helped Slovenia become the smallest country to win the gold medal at Eurobasket in a co-starring situation alongside All-NBA guard Goran Dragic. He then reached the 2022 Western Conference Finals with future All-NBA guard Jalen Brunson.

Doncic then led the Dallas Mavericks to their first NBA Finals appearance in 13 years in yet another co-starring situation with All-NBA guard Kyrie Irving.

If you’re sensing a pattern, there’s good reason for it. Doncic is the epitome of a do-it-all player, posting triple-doubles on a regular basis and solidifying his status as one of the greatest scorers in NBA history by winning the 2023-24 scoring title.

That workload is challenging to carry, however, which offers a strong explanation of why playing alongside another star-caliber guard who can create for themselves and others is so important.

Lakers must decide if Austin Reaves is a true star or not
The question facing the Lakers is simple: Can Reaves realistically become that caliber of player? It’s a lofty expectation, especially for a 27-year-old who hasn’t yet been named an All-Star and is still just shy of displaying the ability to reach the next level.

Reaves has, however, shown steady signs of progress—increasing his averages in points, assists, rebounds, steals, and three-point field goals made in three consecutive seasons.

In 2024-25, Reaves reached a borderline All-Star level with averages of 20.2 points, 5.8 assists, 4.5 rebounds, 1.1 steals, and 2.7 three-point field goals made per game. As such, there’s reason to at least explore if he can make the leap and become the ideal Doncic complement.

Due to the fact that Reaves can become an unrestricted free agent in 2026, however, the time for patience is running out.

If Reaves can’t take the next step and justify the nine-figure contract he’s likely to sign in 2026, then the Lakers need to trade him by the February deadline. It’s unfair on some levels, but Doncic is looking to win now—and Reaves is their most tradable asset.

There’s more that needs to be done than upgrading in one phase of the game, but Reaves is the player and contract who will ultimately decide if the Lakers can honor Doncic’s request to win now.