Los Angeles Lakers’ backup plan if Austin Reaves left in free agency revealed

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The Los Angeles Lakers were eyeing an ambitious acquisition of two recently traded players if Austin Reaves left in free agency.

The Lakers inked a four-year, $185 million deal to re-sign Austin Reaves after it seemed he might leave as a free agent with interested teams circling.

If the Lakers couldn’t agree to a deal with Reaves, their backup plan would have brought a guard replacement alongside a new center to the franchise.

Lakers were in talks to acquire Tyler Herro and Kel’el Ware

Michael Scotto of HoopsHype has revealed that the Lakers were ready to offer a package with multiple first-round picks to acquire the recently traded duo of Tyler Herro and Kel’el Ware.

“Before Herro joined Milwaukee in the Antetokounmpo trade and the Los Angeles Lakers agreed to a four-year, $185 million max deal with Austin Reaves, the Lakers had trade discussions surrounding Herro and Kel’el Ware, which would have involved multiple first-round draft picks, league sources told HoopsHype.”

Even with the Antetokounmpo trade, the Lakers could have retained interest in completing this deal with the Bucks. But with Reaves re-signing, it rules LA out of any potential talks for Herro.

The Ware angle might still interest LA, but if Milwaukee wants multiple first-round picks for him, these discussions won’t go anywhere.

Austin Reaves’ Lakers return is the best outcome

Reaves proved over the 2025-26 season that he deserves a max extension, averaging 23.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 5.5 assists.

His chemistry with Luka Doncic was notable, as the pair have become good friends and are complementary to each other. Doncic usually thrives with a scoring threat in the backcourt, so this partnership will form the basis of the Lakers’ future.

Herro is very injury-prone, playing 33 games last season. Ware is a high-potential prospect, but there is risk with his development, especially after reported attitude issues on the Heat bench last season.

The Lakers have a huge offseason ahead of them, but keeping their central duo together without needing to exhaust their assets for Herro and Ware is a better outcome.