The Los Angeles Lakers could eventually be forced to trade Austin Reaves because their Walker Kessler deal left them with limited avenues to improve the roster, according to Zach Lowe. Lowe argued that Los Angeles has exhausted much of its trade capital after sending two unprotected first-round picks and two pick swaps to Utah for Kessler.
“There’s no question that they overpaid for him [Walker Kessler] and are now trapped with this team and have to figure out: either this is the team or is there a way to pivot by trading Austin Reaves down the line or something like that,” Lowe said. “They are out of tradeable assets because of the Walker Kessler deal.”
The Lakers acquired Kessler from the Utah Jazz in a sign-and-trade and committed $130 million over four years to the 24-year-old center. Los Angeles surrendered unprotected first-round picks in 2031 and 2033, along with first-round pick swaps in 2028 and 2030.
The move came after the Lakers had already committed heavily to Reaves. The 28-year-old guard agreed to a four-year, $185 million contract after averaging career highs of 23.3 points, 5.5 assists and 4.7 rebounds in 51 games during the 2025-26 season.
Reaves was Los Angeles’ second-leading scorer behind Luka Doncic last season. Doncic averaged 33.5 points, 8.3 assists and 7.7 rebounds in 64 games, while Reaves shot 49.0% from the field, 36.0% from three-point range and 87.1% from the free-throw line.
That production gave the Lakers a high-level offensive foundation, but the team finished 53-29 and was eliminated by the Oklahoma City Thunder in a four-game Western Conference semifinal sweep.
The lack of draft capital now makes a major roster correction more difficult. With Doncic, Reaves and Kessler forming the central pieces of the roster, Los Angeles has fewer avenues to acquire another high-level player without using one of its established core players.
That could eventually put Reaves in a different position despite his new long-term extension. His 23.3 points and 5.5 assists per game make him a valuable offensive piece alongside Doncic, while his contract and importance to the roster could also make him one of the few Lakers capable of returning significant value in a future blockbuster.
