Los Angeles Lakers fans are reeling after comments from seven-time NBA champion Robert Horry, who urged the team to trade rising star Austin Reaves sooner rather than later. Horry, a Lakers legend who won three titles during his seven seasons with the franchise, shared his bold take on September 19, 2025, suggesting that Reaves’ role alongside Luka Doncic makes him expendable.
Horry’s Case for Trading Reaves
Horry’s reasoning centers on the overlap between Reaves and Doncic, the Lakers’ blockbuster acquisition last season. “If the Lakers were smart, they would do a sign-and-trade,” Horry said. “When you have a team with two players who are pretty much the same, meaning Luka and AR, they play the same position, they pretty much do the same thing.”
While Horry acknowledges that Reaves and Doncic don’t share identical skill sets, he argues their roles as ball-dominant scorers create redundancy. Both thrive with the ball in their hands, and with Doncic’s proven ability to coexist with another elite guard—evidenced by his 2024 Finals run with Kyrie Irving—Horry believes the Lakers could afford to part ways with Reaves.
Reaves, entering the final year of his contract, is expected to decline his $14.9 million player option for the 2026-27 season. After averaging 21.9 points and 6.1 assists per game on 39.6% three-point shooting in the final 28 games of last season, Reaves reportedly seeks a deal in the $30-35 million per year range. Horry, however, questions whether the Lakers should commit to such a steep investment.
Reaves’ Value to the Lakers
Despite Horry’s concerns, Reaves has proven his worth as a key piece of the Lakers’ core. Last season, his performance elevated after Doncic’s arrival, with his scoring jumping from 19.1 points per game on 36.4% from deep to 21.9 points on 39.6% from three. This improvement suggests Reaves thrives alongside Doncic, forming a dynamic backcourt duo.
With LeBron James, Rui Hachimura, Maxi Kleber, and Gabe Vincent coming off the books next summer, the Lakers will have the cap space to meet Reaves’ expected asking price. At 27, Reaves represents a long-term running mate for Doncic, especially as James, now in his 40s, nears retirement. Trading Reaves could be shortsighted, particularly given his growth into an elite second option.
The Bigger Picture
The Lakers face other roster questions, including the fit of Deandre Ayton and Jake LaRavia, but Reaves’ synergy with Doncic appears to be a strength. The pair’s ability to facilitate and score complements James’ high basketball IQ, creating one of the league’s most potent offenses. While Horry’s championship pedigree lends weight to his opinion, trading Reaves risks disrupting a promising core.
As the Lakers aim to compete in a stacked Western Conference, the decision on Reaves’ future will be pivotal. Will they heed Horry’s advice and explore a sign-and-trade, or double down on their young star as the heir apparent to James? For now, Lakers Nation is left stunned, grappling with the possibility of losing a fan favorite.