Bill Simmons Backtracks on Austin Reaves Trade Take

Boston Celtics superfan Bill Simmons is not exactly known for offering balanced takes when the topic involves the Los Angeles Lakers. But on a recent episode of The Bill Simmons Podcast with Zach Lowe, even the famously biased host had to acknowledge reality: Austin Reaves is too valuable to even pretend to trade.

During the segment, Simmons floated the idea of trading Reaves—before stopping himself almost instantly.

“Don’t trade Austin Reaves, I’m just being a d*ck,” Simmons admitted. “I was just trying to plant seeds because I don’t like Laker fans.”

That exchange pretty much sums up where the league now sits regarding the Lakers guard. Whatever hypothetical trade chatter once existed surrounding Reaves has long departed the conversation. In Los Angeles, Reaves has solidified himself as one of the team’s most important pieces.

No one in the Lakers organization is thinking about a trade

Reaves’ camp made that clear as far back as last offseason. His agent, Aaron Reilly, called the rumors meaningless and suggested fans should brace themselves for a breakout season.

He was right.

Through the early months of the 2025-26 NBA season, Reaves is delivering on that promise. The 25-year-old guard is averaging:

• 27.6 points
• 5.5 rebounds
• 7.3 assists
• 1.3 steals
• On a 64.1 true shooting percentage

Those numbers not only solidify his status as a core franchise piece—they put him in legitimate All-Star territory.

The fit next to Luka Dončić is working perfectly

Some analysts wondered whether pairing Reaves with Luka Dončić would be redundant or problematic defensively. Those concerns have evaporated quickly. Not only do the two stars work together—they genuinely enjoy it.

Their chemistry is undeniable both on and off the court, with playful banter becoming a running storyline this season.

If the results weren’t there, the jokes wouldn’t matter, but the Lakers are backing it up on the court. Los Angeles has opened the season 12-4, with the Doncic–Reaves tandem posting elite efficiency:

• 119.2 offensive rating
• 106.8 defensive rating
• +12.4 net rating

In short, the pairing isn’t just surviving—it’s dominating.

This duo is here to stay

There is no front-office momentum to move Reaves. No dissatisfaction from the player. No statistical argument that supports breaking up a top-performing partnership.

Simmons may joke about stirring up panic among Laker fans, but even he knows the truth:

Austin Reaves is not going anywhere.