The Los Angeles Lakers are at a crossroads as they navigate the twilight of LeBron James’ career and plan for a future centered around Luka Dončić. With guard Austin Reaves entering a contract year and projected to command a star-level deal, the Lakers’ front office faces a pivotal decision: Is Reaves the ideal backcourt partner for Dončić in the post-LeBron era, or should they pivot to a bolder strategy? Bleacher Report’s Andy Bailey has proposed a blockbuster three-team trade that could reshape the Lakers’ roster and secure their long-term competitiveness by acquiring Utah Jazz superstar Lauri Markkanen.
The Proposed Trade
The trade, involving the Lakers, Utah Jazz, and Miami Heat, would see Los Angeles part with significant assets to land the $238 million All-Star forward. Here’s the breakdown:
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Los Angeles Lakers receive: Lauri Markkanen
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Utah Jazz receive: Terry Rozier, Rui Hachimura, Gabe Vincent, Dalton Knecht, a 2026 first-round pick (L.A.), a 2031 first-round pick (L.A.), and a 2031 first-round pick (Miami)
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Miami Heat receive: Austin Reaves and Svi Mykhailiuk
This deal would require the Lakers to gut much of their current rotation, including Reaves, a fan favorite and key contributor. However, Bailey argues that the acquisition of Markkanen could vault the Lakers into the Western Conference’s elite, positioning them as a top contender alongside Denver and Houston, behind only the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder.
“They’d have to replenish their 2025-26 rotation with some minimum signings, but this is a trade that could vault the Lakers onto the contenders’ tier right away, while also giving them a one-two punch to rely on beyond LeBron James’ retirement,” Bailey wrote. “Markkanen is undoubtedly the best individual player in this deal.”
Why Markkanen Fits with Dončić
At 27, Lauri Markkanen has established himself as one of the NBA’s premier stretch bigs. During his two healthy seasons with the Jazz (2022-23 and 2023-24), he averaged 24.5 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 3.1 three-pointers per game while shooting an impressive 39.5% from beyond the arc. His five-year, $238 million contract extension with Utah last year underscores his value as a franchise cornerstone.
Markkanen’s skill set makes him an ideal complement to Dončić, one of the league’s most ball-dominant playmakers. Unlike Reaves, whose ball-handling and playmaking overlap with Dončić’s strengths, Markkanen thrives off the ball. Bailey notes that Markkanen ranks near the bottom among high-volume scorers in dribbles and time of possession, allowing him to excel as a floor spacer, screener, cutter, or transition finisher alongside Dončić.
“As a floor spacer flanking Luka’s pick-and-rolls with other bigs, the screener in those actions himself, a cutter or transition finisher, Markkanen would feast on defenses compromised by Luka,” Bailey explained.
Markkanen’s ability to stretch the floor with his three-point shooting and finish efficiently at the rim—he trailed only Jayson Tatum in threes and dunks over the past three seasons—would create a dynamic offensive partnership with Dončić. Defensively, while not elite, Markkanen’s size (7 feet), rebounding, and effort provide more stability than the current Dončić-Reaves backcourt, which struggles on that end.
The Cost of Letting Go of Reaves
Trading Austin Reaves, who has emerged as a dependable scorer and secondary playmaker, would be a tough pill for Lakers fans to swallow. Reaves rejected a four-year, $89.2 million extension this summer, betting on himself to secure a deal in the range of Miami’s Tyler Herro—approximately $30 million annually. Herro, a 2019 lottery pick, signed a four-year, $130 million extension in 2022 and has since become Miami’s leading scorer.
Reaves’ confidence is well-founded. His versatility and clutch performances have made him a valuable asset, and he is likely to attract suitors willing to meet his asking price next offseason. However, pairing him with Dončić long-term raises concerns. Both players are offensively gifted but defensively limited, potentially capping the Lakers’ ceiling in a loaded Western Conference.
By trading Reaves for Markkanen, the Lakers would sidestep the financial commitment of a massive new contract while acquiring a proven All-Star whose skill set better complements Dončić. The additional loss of Rui Hachimura, Gabe Vincent, Dalton Knecht, and multiple first-round picks is steep, but Bailey argues it’s a worthwhile price for a player of Markkanen’s caliber.
What This Means for the Lakers’ Future
The proposed trade would signal a bold shift in the Lakers’ strategy, prioritizing a Dončić-Markkanen core for the post-LeBron era. Bailey projects that this duo could elevate Los Angeles to the second tier of Western Conference contenders, giving them a fighting chance against elite teams like Oklahoma City. While the loss of depth would require savvy minimum signings to rebuild the rotation, Markkanen’s youth (27) and long-term contract provide stability and star power for years to come.
The trade also mitigates the risk of over-investing in a Reaves-Dončić backcourt that may not have the defensive versatility or size to compete with the West’s best. By acquiring Markkanen, the Lakers would gain a versatile, high-impact forward who can thrive alongside Dončić without competing for touches, creating a balanced and potent offensive attack.
Conclusion
The Lakers stand at a pivotal juncture, with the opportunity to redefine their future by pursuing a superstar like Lauri Markkanen. While trading Austin Reaves and other key assets is a steep price, the potential reward—a contending roster built around Dončić and Markkanen—could justify the gamble. As the Lakers weigh their options, this blockbuster proposal underscores the high-stakes decisions awaiting them in the quest for a championship in the post-LeBron era.