So far this season, the Los Angeles Lakers have far outperformed expectations.
Any team with Luka Dončić will obviously compete on a nightly basis, but with an injury to LeBron James and some unproven free agency signings in the offseason, nothing was guaranteed.
Now sitting at 8-3 and just a half game behind the two-seed, you have to take a step back and truly analyze how the team has gotten off to such a hot start amidst injuries.
One of the most significant reasons has been the outstanding play and massive jump from Lakers guard Austin Reaves.
MORE: NBA executive believes Austin Reaves is perfect free-agent fit for Brooklyn Nets
Lakers know what they have in Reaves
Austin Reaves has been absolutely stellar this season and has been able to carry the torch in the absence of LeBron James and Luka Dončić in spurts. In eight games played, Reaves is averaging 30.3 points (5th-best in the NBA), 9.0 assists (5th-best in the NBA) and 5.1 rebounds.
Those are some astonishing numbers from the undrafted player from Arkansas.
While this outburst to start the season is remarkable, his talent overall is nothing new to those who have been following. League executives certainly seem to think so.
According to Lakersdaily.com, sources say the Lakers have rejected over 20 trade offers for Reaves since last season.
The Lakers have rejected over 20 offers for Austin Reaves since last season, per sources 😳
— Lakers Daily (@LakersDailyCom) November 11, 2025
“The Lakers are only going to trade Austin for Giannis or Jokic,” one Lakers source said. “And neither of those guys is getting traded this season.”Https://t.co/i6rq0zlvcG
The sources go on to say that the Lakers would only trade Reaves for a player of the caliber of a Giannis Antetokounmpo or Nikola Jokić.
It is yet to be seen whether or not the Lakers ever pull the trigger on an Austin Reaves trade. In the meantime, however, Lakers Nation is having a blast watching him play.
More Lakers news:
- Ranking the 9 worst trades in NBA history
- Lakers fans will love Austin Reaves' message regarding his next contract
- Is Nico Harrison joining the Lakers? Viral fake post fools fans after Mavericks firing
- Cade Cunningham is the first to do this since Kobe Bryant in 2002