One would be forgiven for thinking that after the Luka Doncic trade, the Dallas Mavericks probably would not be eager to do business with the Los Angeles Lakers in the immediate future. Despite ownership and the front office standing firm on their decision in Dallas, the majority of the NBA world came to the consensus that the Mavericks were fleeced. However, that has not stopped certain outlets from thinking these two parties could link up for another deal in the summer.

of Bleacher Report suggested 30 trade pitches for the first day of the 2025 offseason. The deal in question today would be one that Swartz believed the Mavericks should pick up the phone and call the Lakers about. Unlike the Doncic trade, this one leans far less heavily in the direction of the Lakers when it comes to favorability.

Lakers move on from Austin Reaves

Swartz suggested the Mavericks should pursue Austin Reaves to fill the void of some ‘much-needed offensive creation’ after, ironically, the Doncic trade. The trade would go as follows.

“Reaves is having the best season of his career … and would help take playmaking pressure off of Kyrie Irving. … A starting five of Irving, Reaves, Naji Marshall, Anthony Davis and Dereck Lively II would be younger, more athletic and carry more offensive pop,” Swartz said of the reasoning for Dallas making this deal.

The points made for the Mavericks carry some solid logic and reasoning. Unfortunately, those same attributes do not carry over to the Lakers’ side as strongly.

Reaves has been  of Los Angeles’ success in 2024-25, even after the arrival of Doncic. The production of the fourth-year guard has certainly dipped a touch, averaging 17.3 points and 4.8 assists while shooting 38.3 percent from the field since Luka’s debut against the Utah Jazz, but that feels like the natural growing pains of figuring out a new offensive pecking order and adapting to a

There would be no urgency for the Lakers to make any sort of move involving Reaves that is not as close to perfect as they can get. This is especially true when considering the steal of a contract ($13.5 million yearly average) the Lakers guard is on.

The fact that Jarred Vanderbilt is also a ‘throw in’ here and not even mentioned in the original writeup’s proposal is a disservice to him as well.

A declining Klay Thompson and a solid center, who Doncic does admittedly have strong chemistry with, is not a strong enough return package for Reaves and Vanderbilt.

Mavericks grade: A

This is a strong deal for Dallas. It fills needs and rewards them well in this trade.

Lakers grade: C-

The return package completely undervalues Reaves as an asset and player. If the Lakers do choose to move on from the talented offensive guard, they could do better than this.