Austin Reaves is playing the best basketball of his career, averaging 27.3 points, 5.2 rebounds and 6.1 assists in his last 10 games.
With his current stretch, the Los Angeles Lakers guard has improved his season scoring average to 20.1 points per game on a 60.8 percent true shooting percentage. This puts him on pace to have the most efficient 20-point season ever by an undrafted player.
Despite having a career year, Gilbert Arenas doesn’t deem the 26-year-old untouchable in a trade, especially if the Phoenix Suns call and offer Kevin Durant.
Durant, 36, is having yet another productive season in Phoenix, averaging 26.8 points, 6.0 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game on 52.7 percent field goal shooting. Despite his numbers, the Suns are still 1.5 games behind the last spot in the Western Conference Play-in tournament.
KD has been the subject of rumors since Phoenix tried to trade him at last month’s trade deadline. Many think a move is inevitable this summer, with teams like the Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets and even the Oklahoma City Thunder being the primary candidates to land the 36-year-old.
Arenas, however, sees the Lakers as the perfect destination for KD, who would thrive alongside LeBron James and Luka Doncic.
The Lakers acquiring Durant would be sensational. However, it’s unclear if they would be willing to give up the 26-year-old budding star for the 36-year-old version of “The Slim Reaper.”
Also, making the trade is tricky for the Lakers because of salary figures. Using ESPN’s Trade Machine, the Lakers would have to give up Reaves, Rui Hachimura, Gabe Vincent and Jared Vanderbilt to match Durant’s $51.1 million salary — that’s giving up way too many rotation players, including two starters for an old superstar.
For all of Reaves’ greatness and potential, acquiring KD might make sense for the Lakers to maximize LeBron’s last years. But in the long term, that might impact Luka’s decision to re-sign with the team because Austin is looking to be the perfect backcourt partner for the Slovenian superstar for years to come.
Then again, if the Lakers make a deep postseason run this year — which is possible — they might not need a player of Durant’s caliber. At that point, a few roster tweaks might do the trick.
That’s why many, including Matt Barnes, don’t think the purple and gold would trade Austin for Kevin. According to the retired NBA forward, ruining the team’s “white boy magic” is not worth the 36-year-old superstar.
The 2025 playoffs will probably show who is right, helping the Lakers make the decision.
