Fantasy managers weigh timing on trading Austin Reaves amid breakout start
SLUG: austin-reaves-fantasy-trade-debate
CONTENT:
ESPN fantasy basketball analyst Dr. André Snellings says Austin Reaves’ scorching opening to the 2025-26 season has thrust the Los Angeles Lakers guard into both fantasy and real-world MVP conversations, leaving managers to decide whether to move him while his value peaks or ride the surge.
Historic production through seven games
The 27-year-old has averaged 31.1 points, 9.3 assists, 5.1 rebounds, 3.0 three-pointers and 1.4 steals in 36.8 minutes, far beyond last year’s 20.2-5.8-4.5 line. Reaves entered the season as Luka Dončić’s primary running mate while LeBron James recovers from injury and logged three contests as the Lakers’ first option when Dončić also sat.
Splits by role
First option (3 games): 40.0 PPG, 10.0 APG, 5.3 RPG, 4.0 3PG, 2.3 SPG, 4.3 turnovers on 50.0% shooting overall and 41.4% from deep.
Second option (4 games): 24.5 PPG, 8.7 APG, 5.0 RPG, 2.3 3PG, 0.8 SPG, 2.7 turnovers on 47.8% overall and 28.1% from three.
Key observations
- Reaves has scored at least 21 points in every outing, suggesting stable usage.
- Rebounding and assist numbers remain steady regardless of role, while scoring, three-point attempts and turnovers spike when he is the primary option.
- Shooting percentages and steals dropped in the second-option role, a trend Snellings attributes partly to small sample size.
Projected outlook with James returning
Once both Dončić and James are healthy, Snellings projects Reaves to settle as a low-20s scorer with about five rebounds and six to seven assists — placing him near top-50 fantasy territory as the third option. That rises to top-25 when acting as the second option and top-10 when he leads the offense, a scenario likely whenever one of the stars is sidelined.
Trade value assessment
Snellings recommends dealing Reaves only if the return matches his current elite averages. Conversely, acquiring him near his preseason draft cost could provide substantial upside, as the guard is expected to oscillate between all three roles throughout the campaign.
Source: ESPN
