In a twist no Lakers fan saw coming, Austin Reaves has dropped a bombshell: he’s leaving the Los Angeles Lakers. 
The announcement, which came during a late-night Instagram Live, left fans stunned and the NBA world buzzing. Just days after sports analyst Bailey Bassett proposed a controversial trade scenario, Reaves confirmed that the discussions weren’t just smoke — they were fire.
Wearing a plain white hoodie and sitting in what appeared to be his offseason home in Arkansas, Reaves looked visibly emotional. “It’s not easy,” he said, pausing several times during the stream. “L.A. gave me everything. The fans believed in me when nobody else really did. But sometimes, the business side of basketball just gets too loud to ignore.”
The shocking revelation aligns closely with a speculative trade idea floated earlier that week by Bassett. The analyst suggested the Lakers could package Reaves in a deal for a dominant big man — possibly Minnesota’s Rudy Gobert or Memphis’ Jaren Jackson Jr. At the time, the idea seemed far-fetched, especially considering Reaves’ breakout season, where he averaged over 20 points and nearly 6 assists per game. But now, with Reaves confirming his imminent exit, the proposal seems eerily prescient.
“Bailey Bassett wasn’t lying,” Reaves admitted with a half-smile. “I didn’t want it to go public like that, but yeah — conversations have been happening. I didn’t expect it to leak. Honestly, I still don’t know where I’m going, but I know I won’t be wearing purple and gold much longer.”
The reaction was immediate. Lakers fans flooded social media with heartbreak and disbelief. “He was our next big thing. Our glue guy. Our heart,” one fan tweeted. Even LeBron James, often cryptic with his online presence, posted a broken heart emoji with no context shortly after the news spread.
NBA insiders suggest the Lakers may be pivoting toward a more defensive, frontcourt-heavy roster to complement aging stars and solidify a championship window. Reaves, still just 27, is likely a key trade chip in executing that vision.
Yet, even amid the business maneuvering, Reaves’ voice cracked when he addressed the fans directly. “Thank you, L.A. You made me feel like I belonged. That’s something I’ll never forget.”
As rumors swirl about where he’ll land — Memphis, Minnesota, or even a surprise Eastern Conference suitor — one thing is clear: the Lakers are losing more than just a guard. They’re losing a fighter, a fan favorite, and a piece of their identity.
And for Austin Reaves? A new chapter begins — but not without a bittersweet farewell.