NBA trade season is heating up, and one player to keep an eye on is Austin Reaves. After declining a contract extension with the Los Angeles Lakers, rumors are swirling that teams across the league are keeping tabs on Reaves.

The rumors surrounding the 27-year-old guard began after insider Chris Haynes claimed that rival executives hold Reaves in “high regard.” Based on his reporting, it sounds like the Lakers could receive offers from several organizations for Austin Reaves. Or at the very least, they'll have competition to sign him as a free agent in 2026.

“There are a lot of rival executives who hold Austin Reaves in high regard. I think he's gotten wind of that. I think his representation has gotten wind of that, and I think that's why [Reaves and his camp] feel like they have to make that decision.”

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Reaves experienced career-highs playing as the third option behind LeBron James and Luka Doncic. He stepped up in a big way for the Lakers, and there is a chance Austin Reaves only improves moving forward, whether that's in L.A. or elsewhere after he becomes a free agent a year from now.

Reaves ended the 2024-25 campaign experiencing career-highs in points per game (20.2), rebounds per game (4.5), assists per game (5.8), and steals per game (1.1). He also shot 46.0% from the field and 37.7% from beyond the arc.

That's the type of production the Lakers can't afford to lose, especially if the franchise hopes to get back in title contention with James and Doncic leading the way. It's unclear what teams are potentially interested in the four-year guard, but based on his production throughout his career so far, he should garner plenty of interest from around the league.

Despite the rumored interest from other teams, there is a belief that the Lakers will keep him, and Austin Reaves will eventually sign a long-term deal with the Lakers. Although Reaves turned down a four-year, $89.2 million contract offer from Los Angeles, both sides seem motivated to agree to a long-term deal.

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