Luka Dončić Told Los Angeles Lakers Not To Trade Austin Reaves For Giannis Antetokounmpo

Luka Dončić told the Los Angeles Lakers not to trade Austin Reaves for Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo, according to Dan Woike and Sam Amick of The Athletic.

Reaves is expected to decline his player option for next season and become an unrestricted free agent this summer.

Dončić wants Reaves to re-sign with the Lakers, who are expected to pursue a trade for Antetokounmpo again.

“Dončić has made it clear to the Lakers that he would like to continue playing with Reaves, according to league sources,” Woike and Amick wrote. “Beyond their close friendship, Dončić believes in Reaves as a long-term piece next to him. Multiple league sources said that belief was best illustrated when Dončić told people within the organization that he wouldn’t want Reaves included in any potential trade packages for Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo. Dončić, those sources say, would strongly prefer a team construction that includes him and Reaves alongside whatever star the Lakers could acquire. The Lakers are expected to explore Antetokounmpo trade scenarios this summer.”

The Lakers lost to the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second round of this year’s playoffs in four games after beating the Houston Rockets in the first round in six games. Dončić missed the playoffs because of his hamstring injury, while Reaves only played in six games.

Dončić led the NBA in total points and points per game in his first full season with the Lakers. He averaged 33.5 points, 7.7 rebounds and 8.3 assists a game.

Meanwhile, Reaves averaged 23.3 points, 4.7 rebounds and 5.5 assists per game in his fifth season with Los Angeles. He’s one of the best undrafted players in NBA history.

Most people around the NBA expect Reaves to re-sign with the Lakers, who have access to three first-round picks, one second-round pick and pick swaps this summer. Antetokounmpo will make $58.5 million next season. He has a player option worth $62.8 million for the 2027-28 season.

The Bucks are open for business on trade calls and offers for Antetokounmpo, who has spent his entire NBA career in Milwaukee. He’s a two-time MVP, one-time Finals MVP, one-time Defensive Player of the Year and 10-time All-Star.

It will be fascinating to see if Reaves remains with the Lakers and where Antetokounmpo is playing next season.

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