Lakers Proven Right: Keeping Austin Reaves Was the Best Move of the Doncic Era

When the Los Angeles Lakers transitioned into the Luka Dončić era, one major question hovered over the franchise:

Should the team trade Austin Reaves?

Rumors swirled, outside pressure mounted, and some wondered whether Reaves — fresh off his best seasons — fit alongside a high-usage superstar like Dončić.

But through all the noise, Rob Pelinka never wavered.

Now, with the 2025-26 season well underway, the Lakers have been fully vindicated. Keeping Reaves wasn’t just the safe play — it was undeniably the right one.

💡 Reaves’ Growth Has Exploded

Since his rookie year, the Lakers have watched Austin Reaves elevate his game every single season. But this year, he’s taken the kind of leap that turns a good starter into a foundational piece.

With LeBron James sidelined early in the season, Reaves was thrust into the second-option role, and he delivered in a way that stunned even his biggest supporters.

Now that LeBron is back, the hierarchy is clearer than ever:

1. Luka Dončić — Franchise engine
2. Austin Reaves — Co-star and offensive initiator
3. LeBron James — Veteran third star preserving his body for the postseason

After years of trying (and failing) to hand the keys to Anthony Davis, LeBron finally found reliable offensive partners in Luka and Reaves.

📈 A Career Season From a Player Built for LA

Reaves is posting career highs across the board:

• Points per game
• Assists per game
• Free throw attempts
• Usage rate

The most impressive part?

He has grown his role without disrupting the offense. His game is malleable — he can attack, play off the ball, run pick-and-rolls, or excel as a secondary facilitator next to Luka.

Reaves has become the type of player who helps define a team’s identity, not merely fit into it.

🔒 Reaves Wants to Stay — And the Lakers Want Him Here

Despite outside interest — confirmed by reporting from Marc Stein — Reaves has shown zero trace of wandering eyes.

“There is no sense at this point that Austin Reaves is looking anywhere else.” — Marc Stein, ALL NBA Podcast

That mutual commitment matters.

The Lakers aren’t just keeping a productive guard — they’re keeping a trusted co-star who wants to be part of this chapter.

Trade speculation around Reaves never made sense to the Lakers internally, and now, it makes even less sense externally.

🎯 The Verdict: LA Was Absolutely Right to Keep Reaves

With one dominant month in the books, the Lakers’ stance looks prophetic:

• Reaves fits perfectly next to Dončić
• He can scale his role up or down with ease
• He’s reliable, improving, and committed
• He’s entering his prime
• And he has the full trust of Luka, LeBron, and the front office

The Lakers didn’t just avoid a mistake — they protected one of the most important pieces of their future.

Austin Reaves is here to stay.

And Los Angeles is better for it.