Max Kellerman has caused yet another stir by suggesting that the Los Angeles Lakers might consider trading Luka Doncic because of an overlap with Austin Reaves.
On the Game Over with Max Kellerman and Rich Paul podcast, he said the two players are redundant. “If you wanna win a championship, I believe that your best player needs to at least play team defense,” Kellerman said. “I can get x for Austin. I can get three times that for Luka.”
Why trading Luka Doncic would be a mistake
While the logic might make sense on paper, the reality is very different. Doncic is a generational talent, the Lakers’ cornerstone for the post-LeBron James era. Players like him almost never become available, and the Lakers did not acquire him lightly.
Doncic can carry a team offensively. He has yet to play a full season in the purple and gold, and he is already firmly in the MVP conversation. This season, he has been averaging 33.4 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 8.8 assists. Trading him would be far riskier than trading anyone else.
That is why, if the Lakers were ever forced to make a difficult choice between the two, Reaves would be the more likely candidate to move. Reaves is a rising star and a perfect complement to Doncic, but his contract situation gives the Lakers a practical reason to consider it.
He becomes a free agent at the end of the season, which could force the team to make a tough decision if they cannot reach a new deal. Trading him now would also bring back assets while preserving Doncic as the franchise’s foundation.
Reaves has proven he can be a legitimate number two option. In 23 games this season before his injury, he averaged 26.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 6.3 assists. He can handle the ball, shoot, and create alongside Doncic. However, with that being said, he is not irreplaceable in the way that Doncic is. The superstar carries a different level of responsibility and potential.
Kellerman points out that Doncic could bring back a far larger return in a trade, but that misses the point. With LeBron’s future still uncertain, the Lakers need to plan for the long term. Luka Doncic is the face of the franchise, and Reaves is a valuable supporting star who also represents a strategic asset.
Moving Reaves before Doncic makes sense if tough decisions come, but the priority is keeping the foundation intact and ensuring Los Angeles can compete now and for years to come.