Change is in the air for the Los Angeles Lakers as the NBA landscape shifts dramatically ahead of the 2025-26 season. The franchise, a perennial headline-maker, finds itself at the center of trade rumors, roster shakeups, and even international departures. With LeBron James entering what many believe could be his final campaign in purple and gold, and Luka Dončić freshly committed to a long-term extension, every decision by General Manager Rob Pelinka is under the microscope. The stakes? Nothing less than maximizing the Lakers’ championship window—while also laying the groundwork for a post-LeBron future.
One of the most intriguing storylines involves guard Austin Reaves, who’s coming off a breakout season that saw him average 20.2 points, 5.8 assists, and 4.5 rebounds per game across 73 contests. Reaves cemented himself as a reliable third option behind James and Dončić, and his performance has made him both indispensable and—ironically—an extremely valuable trade chip. As the Lakers look to bolster their roster and address shooting needs on the wing, the possibility of moving Reaves is being weighed carefully in the front office.
Trade rumors have been swirling since the Lakers’ first-round playoff exit against the Minnesota Timberwolves, and the speculation has only intensified as Reaves approaches a crucial contract decision. He’s expected to decline his nearly $15 million player option for the 2026-27 season, eyeing a much larger payday—potentially in the $30 million per year range. This looming financial commitment has forced the Lakers to consider all options, including deals that would reshape the team’s core.
One of the most widely discussed scenarios is a potential trade with the Sacramento Kings. According to multiple reports, the Lakers could send Reaves to Sacramento in exchange for Keegan Murray and a 2027 first-round pick. Murray, a promising young forward with a reputation as a three-point sniper, would address the Lakers’ need for perimeter shooting while providing flexibility thanks to his team option at the end of the season. For the Lakers, the deal would also add valuable future draft capital as they prepare for the inevitable transition away from the LeBron era.
But the rumor mill hasn’t stopped there. Ethen Hutton of Sports Illustrated suggested that targeting Murray would allow the Lakers to “add shooting and versatility without committing to a massive extension for Reaves.” For Sacramento, the appeal is clear: Reaves would join a core featuring Domantas Sabonis, DeMar DeRozan, and Zach LaVine, injecting much-needed playmaking and scoring into a team that’s missed the playoffs for two consecutive seasons. His expanded offensive role in Sacramento could also boost his fantasy value, with more opportunities to handle the ball and create for teammates.
Other trade permutations have emerged as well. ClutchPoints floated a broader package that would see the Lakers acquire both Murray and emerging two-way guard Keon Ellis. Ellis’ development as a knockdown shooter and defensive presence makes him an attractive fit alongside Dončić and James, aligning with the Lakers’ philosophy of surrounding their stars with versatile, off-ball threats. “Despite Murray being one of the brightest young players the Kings have, he has emerged as a trade candidate because he is also one of the only remaining trade assets on their roster,” Rishav Bhat of ClutchPoints observed.
The most ambitious proposal comes in the form of a hypothetical three-team deal involving the Lakers, Kings, and Atlanta Hawks. In this scenario, Los Angeles would land Murray, Malik Monk, and young guard Kobe Bufkin, while Sacramento would stockpile draft picks and Atlanta would add Maxi Kleber as frontcourt depth. From the Lakers’ perspective, this move would add both shooting and depth, keeping them competitive in the present while laying a foundation for the future. However, the steep cost—three first-round pick swaps—underscores just how high the price is for reshaping a roster built around two generational talents.
Yet, all these tantalizing scenarios face a significant hurdle. Recent reporting from Jason Anderson of the Sacramento Bee indicates that the Kings view both Keegan Murray and Keon Ellis as untouchable assets. The organization is reportedly working on contract extensions for both players and has kept them “off limits” in talks with other teams, including the Golden State Warriors regarding restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga. This stance signals Sacramento’s commitment to building around its young core, making any potential deal for Reaves far from a foregone conclusion.
For the Lakers, the uncertainty only heightens the drama. The franchise is acutely aware that its current roster, while talented, may not be enough to navigate the brutal gauntlet of the Western Conference. The pressure to win now—before LeBron James calls time on his storied career—is immense. As a result, every rumor, every potential trade, and every contract negotiation is being scrutinized by fans and analysts alike.
Amidst the trade speculation, the Lakers are also dealing with a significant departure. Talen Horton-Tucker, once a phenom with the Lakers and a key contributor during their 2020 NBA Bubble championship run, is leaving the NBA to sign with EuroLeague champions Fenerbahce in Istanbul, Turkey. Horton-Tucker, just 24 years old, played six seasons in the NBA after being drafted 46th overall in 2019 and quickly captured the imagination of Lakers fans with his length, skill, and potential. He averaged double-figure scoring in his third, fourth, and fifth seasons, spending time with both the Utah Jazz and, most recently, the Chicago Bulls. However, his struggle to develop a reliable three-point shot limited his long-term prospects in the NBA. Now, Horton-Tucker heads to Europe, where he’ll aim to prove himself as a leader for a powerhouse club—though the door remains open for a future NBA return.
The Lakers’ offseason is thus defined by both endings and new beginnings. As the team weighs whether to part with a rising star like Reaves in pursuit of shooting and flexibility, it must also contend with the legacy of players like Horton-Tucker, whose journeys reflect the unpredictable nature of professional basketball. The franchise’s balancing act—preparing for the future while trying to win immediately—has never been more pronounced.
With training camp on the horizon and trade rumors swirling, one thing is clear: the Lakers are at a crossroads. The decisions made in the coming weeks will shape not only the fate of this season, but the direction of the franchise for years to come. Whether Austin Reaves is part of that future, or whether he becomes the centerpiece of a blockbuster trade, remains one of the NBA’s most compelling questions as September unfolds.
