In a move that could reshape the Western Conference landscape, the Los Angeles Lakers are on the verge of acquiring Deni Avdija from the Portland Trail Blazers in what insiders are calling a “franchise-changing” deal. Sources close to the negotiations describe Avdija as being “delivered to the doorstep” of the Lakers, providing a much-needed boost to a team still searching for its identity in the post-LeBron James era. While the trade isn’t official yet, the framework involves sending Austin Reaves to Portland, addressing key needs for both squads and igniting debates about the Lakers’ championship aspirations.
Even though Lakers fans are still energized from the blockbuster Luka Doncic trade last offseason, the reality is that the “Showtime Lakers” aren’t officially back—not yet. Doncic has been sensational in purple and gold, averaging 30.1 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 8.0 assists across 40 games with the team.
Yet, the Lakers have been outclassed in three consecutive postseasons, falling to the Nuggets twice and then getting handled by the Timberwolves this year. The team’s recent playoff struggles highlight a glaring need for reliable secondary scoring and defensive versatility—issues that Avdija could directly solve.
A major issue facing the Lakers is the looming “Austin Reaves situation.” Reports indicate Los Angeles offered him an extension, but with the expectation of a much larger payday in free agency, Reaves declined the offer. Reaves has been a solid contributor, but his playoff performances have raised questions about his ceiling as a No. 2 option. Across 26 career playoff games, he’s averaged 16.7 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 4.2 assists, but his three-point shooting dipped to 31.9% in the 2024-25 postseason, exposing vulnerabilities on both ends of the floor.
Reaves obviously had an amazing regular season, averaging around 16 points per game, but when it mattered most, he struggled defensively and couldn’t consistently alleviate the offensive burden from Doncic.
That raises a crucial question: once LeBron James is no longer on the roster, is a Luka Doncic–Austin Reaves duo enough to realistically compete for a championship? If the answer leans toward no, then the logical move is exploring a trade before Reaves commands a contract worth around $40 million per season. Doncic clearly has a deficiency on defense, but that’s largely due to him carrying the heavy lifting on offense for the better portion of 40 minutes. He needs a partner who can share the load offensively while anchoring the defense—qualities that Reaves, as much as he’s progressed, hasn’t fully demonstrated as a clear-cut No. 2.
This is where the Portland Trail Blazers come in. The Blazers, in rebuild mode, boast a young core including Scoot Henderson, Donovan Clingan, and veterans like Jerami Grant and Damian Lillard.
The proposed trade would provide Portland with a versatile guard in Reaves to pair alongside Henderson and their rising star center Clingan, adding shooting and playmaking to their backcourt. In return, the Lakers would acquire one of the league’s most promising young forwards, Deni Avdija, giving them a potential future star to build around Doncic.
Can Deni Avdija Be the Next Lakers Star? His game carries clear similarities to Luka Doncic, particularly in the way he draws contact, manipulates pace, and uses controlled deceleration to finish or create opportunities on his drives. This past season has provided a real glimpse of the type of player he can become when given the responsibility of being a top option. Avdija is averaging an impressive 25.1 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 5.4 assists in 17 games for the Blazers, showcasing his growth as a primary creator.
He consistently generates offense by collapsing defenses, and his passing instincts place him among the upper-tier playmakers in the league. For the first time in his career, Deni was given the freedom to operate as a primary focal point, and the team responded with an impressive 18–9 run to close last season.
Meanwhile, one of the Lakers’ biggest shortcomings has been the lack of reliable secondary creation behind Luka Doncic and LeBron James. Avdija’s ability to handle the ball, defend multiple positions, and stretch the floor with his shooting could complement Doncic perfectly, forming a dynamic European duo capable of leading the franchise into the future. Defensively, Avdija’s length and instincts would help cover for Doncic’s shortcomings, while offensively, his playmaking would allow Doncic more opportunities to operate off-ball.
If this trade goes through, it could mark the beginning of a new era for the Lakers, blending Doncic’s superstar talent with Avdija’s emerging stardom. The Blazers, in turn, gain a proven guard in Reaves to accelerate their youth movement. As negotiations heat up, the NBA world watches closely—this “franchise-changing” talent might just be the piece that propels the Lakers back to contention.