Lakers Legend Calls on the Team To Trade Austin Reaves

The future of Austin Reaves has been a major talking point in Los Angeles as of late, with the talented shooting guard set to be an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2026. Given how much he's improved in his role as a starter with the team, it's no surprise he's looking to get a big pay raise, with the 27-year-old reportedly seeking $30 million or more per season on his next deal.

Given that he averaged a career-high 20 points on 47% shooting a year ago, it's understandable that Reaves is looking to cash in, whether it be with the Lakers or in free agency. That's led to some speculation that the Lakers could even consider trading Reaves, and now, franchise legend Robert Horry has called for the team to move the talented guard in a sign-and-trade.

“If the Lakers were smart, they would do a sign-and-trade. And the reason I say that is because when you have a team with two players who are pretty much the same, meaning Luka and AR, and I’m not saying they have the same skill set.

“They play the same position, they pretty much do the same thing. It’s a wash. And don’t get me wrong, I love AR and I think he could play, but you don’t need two of the same players. You think about the NBA, it’s all about a fit. You look at all the great teams, they all have something different. There’s no two Jokers. There’s no two Giannises, no two Shai Gilgeouses.”

While there's a chance that the Lakers do indeed move Reaves, to say that he's too much like Dončić is questionable, as Reaves has proven he can be the third option on a very good team. Ultimately, the team has a big decision to make soon, and it's one that could change the future of the Lakers, and if Horry had his way, it would result in Reaves being traded.