Austin Reaves Must Be Lakers' Top Offseason Priority Amid LeBron James Rumors, Giannis Trade Buzz

The Los Angeles Lakers are facing one of their most pivotal offseason in recent memory, and not just because they are reportedly looking to expand their front office under new owner Mark Walter.

The 2026 offseason should be the start of a new era, once centered around 2025 trade acquisition Luka Dončić. It may involve aging star LeBron James for another season, and there's a slim possibility that it also includes Milwaukee Bucks standout Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Before the Lakers get too focused on James' future or a potential push for Giannis, however, they must make Austin Reaves their top offseason priority.

This is because building around the 27-year-old Dončić is the top long-term priority. Reaves, who will turn 28 later this month, fits right into Dončić's timeline from an age perspective.

Reaves also proved himself to be an excellent running mate to Dončić this past season. He averaged a career-best 23.5 points to go with 5.5 assists, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.1 steals.

Los Angeles has made it clear that Dončić is the face of the franchise, and Dončić "has made it clear to the Lakers that he would like to continue playing with Reaves," according to Dan Woike and Sam Amick of The Athletic.

Reaves, for his part, recently told TMZ that he'd like to "run it back."

However, bringing back Reaves will take work for the Lakers. He's set to decline his player option and enter free agency, and he will have suitors outside of Los Angeles.

ESPN's Bobby Marks recently ranked Reaves as his top potential free agent with a 2026-27 option, ahead of players like James Harden, Trae Young, and Draymond Green.

The good news is that if the Lakers are willing to meet the market price for Reaves, they should have a good chance of bringing him back. Both sides appear interested in making that happen.

"He started his journey here as a Laker and has made it very clear to us that he wants his journey to continue as a Laker," GM Rob Pelinka said, per Marks. "Both sides have made it abundantly clear that we want to work something out where he continues his prolific career here."

Of course, if the Lakers don't get a deal done quickly, they'll still run the risk of another team prying him away with an enticing situation—L.A. can offer a longer, bigger overall contract because it maintains his Bird Rights. Unfortunately, the Lakers are going to have some other potential distractions this offseason.

The first involves James, who may or may not return for what will likely be his final season. He transitioned well into a complementary role this past season, and bringing him back as a role player would be logical if he intends to play—which appears likely.

"All the indications I've gotten over the course of the year is that he's going to play one more season," ESPN's Shams Charania told the Rich Eisen Show (h/t RealGM).

While the Lakers should be interested in bringing back James, they shouldn't panic if he has serious offers elsewhere.

The Lakers also shouldn't become consumed by the Antetokounmpo trade drama that is likely to overshadow the offseason. Los Angeles is expected to be interested in Giannis, as it was at the trade deadline, but it doesn't have the trade capital to be a serious player.

"The Lakers expressed interest in Giannis at the [trade] deadline," Charania told the Rich Eisen Show (12:00 mark). "Right now, what they'll be able to offer is three first-round picks, cap space and essentially absorb Giannis' contract."

ESPN's Ramona Shelburne reported in May that the Golden State Warriors had offered a package for Antetokounmpo that included three unprotected first-round picks. That's more than the Lakers can offer, and, according to ESPN's Anthony Slater, that may not be enough to win the bidding this offseason.

"This is just my read on it: I think they're not first in line, not second or third in line, really, at this point, as far as packages that appeal most to Milwaukee," Slater told 95.7 The Game's Willard and Dibs (h/t Bleacher Report's Julia Stumbaugh).

Simply put, the Lakers aren't likely to move the needle for Milwaukee unless they're willing to offer a player like Reaves as well. That should be a non-starter for L.A.

Again, this offseason must be about building around Dončić, and he's shown chemistry and had success with Reaves. Trading Reaves and multiple young draft selections for a 31-year-old Antetokounmpo wouldn't make a ton of long-term sense.

And while James can be a strong third option this season, he can no longer be a core centerpiece alongside Dončić the way Reaves can. The Lakers can worry about James—and everything else—after they ensure that Reaves will remain in the fold.