The Los Angeles Lakers have exited the NBA playoffs after their conference semifinals loss to the OKC Thunder, and Luka Doncic has expressed his feelings clearly. After the Lakers’ 0-4 loss to the defending champions, there have been talks about the potential roster changes, and Austin Reaves has been at the center of all. However, the Slovenian guard has clarified his feelings about Reaves’ trade.
Doncic and Reaves were one of the highest scoring duos in the regular season. However, injuries derailed Reaves’ season midway through, and they couldn’t play together for most of the season. The playoffs were similar, as Doncic was sidelined with a left hamstring sprain and could not play a single postseason game.
Giannis Antetokounmpo would be the most sought-after piece in the offseason, as teams look to form a lucrative trade package to land him. As per Dan Woike of The Athletic, the 6-time NBA All-Star did not want Austin Reaves to be part of any trade deal regarding that. Fullcourtpass shared the update on X and wrote:
“Multiple league sources said that belief was best illustrated when Doncic told people within the organization that he wouldn’t want Reaves included in any potential trade packages for Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo. Doncic, those sources say, would strongly prefer a team construction that includes him and Reaves alongside whatever star the Lakers could acquire.”
Reaves will be due for an extension this offseason, while he also has a player option for the 2026-27 season. Several teams are expected to show interest in acquiring him, but Doncic’s demand to play alongside him might have almost certainly sealed his place with the Lakers.
Can this be LeBron James’ last season with Luka Doncic?
LeBron James averaged 23 points, 6.5 rebounds, and seven assists in the 2026 NBA playoffs and led the team from the front in the absence of Luka Doncic. In Game 4, he scored 23 points and 12 rebounds but blew up a bank shot in the final minute, which would have given the team a crucial lead.
This offseason, King James would be an unrestricted free agent. If Doncic’s priority is to play with Austin Reaves, the front office might look to offload James’ contract if they want to land another superstar like Giannis. LBJ is worth over $50 million. The only way for all three to be together for another season would be if the 4-time NBA champion takes a significant pay cut to accommodate another contract.
James has earlier expressed his wish to finish his career in LA. However, after the playoff exit, when he was asked about his future, he said that he didn’t know how the next few days would go. He wished to “go back and recalibrate with my family, talk to them, spend some time with them.”
No doubt James has played high-level basketball this season as well and has all the requirements to play another. However, only time will tell which way the Lakers will go next season.
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