Picture Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images

NBA Trade Rumors: Lakers to Acquire 2-Time NBA Champion and $134 Million Celtics Superstar in Exchange for Austin Reaves

Lakers want to make a super trio around Doncic and James with this signing from Celtics.

Picture Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images

The Los Angeles Lakers will get busy in the upcoming offseason after a disappointing exit in the first round of the NBA playoffs against the Minnesota Timberwolves. The 4-1 defeat in the opening round will push Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka to boost the squad for the next season. Lakers want one more big player to complement LeBron James and Luka Doncic in the lineup.

Los Angeles acquired Luka Doncic in February’s trade window from Dallas and allowed Anthony Davis to leave. This deal worked for the Lakers as the five-time All-Star helped the Lakers finish third in the regular season. The Lakers want to sign a big player from an NBA-winning franchise during the offseason so they can become a championship contender in 2025-26.

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Lakers Move Their Attention to Celtics, Who Reportedly Plan to Make Changes in Their Roster This Offseason

The Lakers will shift their attention to the Boston Celtics during the offseason, as the defending champions will make some tough calls due to serious financial constraints. A couple of stars are ageing, and top players are having hefty contracts.

Some reports claimed that Boston could make changes to their roster in the summer, and it could be a great opportunity for the Lakers to find a generational talent from their rivals.

The Celtics will begin to explore cost-cutting trades this offseason, per @ShamsCharania on @PatMcAfeeShow:

“This iteration is just not going to be sustainable for this team.”

Players like Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday could become prime trade candidates this summer. pic.twitter.com/hu5v15PfW6
— Evan Sidery (@esidery) May 1, 2025

“The rest of the league is bracing for some level of change to the Celtics’ roster this offseason,” ESPN’s Shams Charania reported during a Thursday appearance on the Pat McAfee Show.

“Sources have been telling me for weeks now that the Celtics will be exploring trade options in the offseason.”

As per reports, Lakers may aim for the Boston Celtics superstar, Jrue Holiday in exchange for Austin Reaves, rookie forward Dalton Knecht, Jarred Vanderbilt and draft capital. Holiday, the 2-time All-Star and 6-time All-Defensive Team selection, would have a chance to accept a $37.2 million player option for the 2027-28 season.

Boston Celtics guard Jrue Holiday is the recipient of the Joe Dumars Trophy for winning the 2024-25 NBA Sportsmanship Award.

This is the second NBA Sportsmanship Award for Holiday, who also earned the honor in the 2020-21 season with the Milwaukee Bucks. pic.twitter.com/bWmbr6LH5U
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) May 1, 2025

Jovan Buha of The Athletic also suggested the Lakers explore the offseason smartly so they can fix their holes in the roster. The front office will need to build a strong team around Luka Doncic.

“I think the interesting thing is that the Lakers have $40+ million in expiring contracts between Rui [Hachimura], Gabe [Vincent], and Maxi Kleber,” Buha stated in his podcast. “They have one tradable first-round pick, either their 2031 or 2032. I believe the latter activates post-2025 draft, like once the draft starts, and they also have one pick swap in 2030.

“Those are the primary assets, and they can also throw in Dalton Knecht as an asset, but that’s going to be the primary stuff they’re working with.”

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If Holiday comes in JJ Redick’s roster, Doncic and LeBron would get a big boost. The 34-year-old is one of the finest defensive players. He averaged 11.1 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 3.9 assists in 62 appearances for Boston in the regular season.

Picture Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images

Austin Reaves

Boston Celtics

Jrue Holiday

Los Angeles Lakers

Gulshan Sharma

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A native of Jaipur, Rajasthan, journalist, and a complete soccer and basketball fan, he found the huge interest with basketball by watching videos of Allen Iverson and Tony Parker, but fell head over heels in love with the sport during the Warriors’ championship era (2015-2018). A sports game addict since his late PS1, he’s also passionate about the Eagles, Inter Miami and the Fever. He’s fortunate to have seen all his favorite teams win championships. He also has a special love for cricket and football (soccer), where he is a fan of Royal Challengers Bangalore and Barcelona.