BREAKING: Lakers Trade Austin Reaves, Shake Milton, 2031 First-Round Pick to Pistons for Jalen Duren and Malik Beasley

In one of the more surprising moves of the NBA offseason, the Los Angeles Lakers have agreed to a deal to acquire young center Jalen Duren and veteran guard Malik Beasley from the Detroit Pistons in exchange for guard Austin Reaves, Shake Milton, and the Lakers’ 2031 first-round pick, sources tell ESPN.

This blockbuster trade comes at a crucial time for the Lakers, who are in the midst of reshaping their roster following a disappointing playoff exit. With LeBron James entering the twilight of his career and Anthony Davis firmly in his prime, the Lakers’ front office, led by Rob Pelinka, has been aggressive in trying to balance both immediate competitiveness and long-term stability. The acquisition of Duren, one of the league’s most promising young big men, signals that the Lakers are doubling down on that vision.

What the Lakers Are Getting: Size, Athleticism, and Familiar Scoring Depth

The centerpiece of the deal for Los Angeles is 20-year-old Jalen Duren, a hyper-athletic, 6-foot-11 center known for his rebounding, rim protection, and vertical explosiveness. Drafted 13th overall in 2022, Duren has been a bright spot for a struggling Pistons franchise, averaging 11.7 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game last season. At just 20, his ceiling remains incredibly high, and his physical tools have drawn comparisons to players like Bam Adebayo and Dwight Howard in their early years.

For the Lakers, adding Duren gives them a long-term answer at center behind Anthony Davis or even alongside him in bigger lineups. The Lakers have long sought a young, energetic big man who can control the glass, run the floor, and protect the rim without sacrificing athleticism — Duren checks all those boxes.

Malik Beasley, meanwhile, returns to Los Angeles after a brief stint with the Lakers during the 2022-23 season. Though his first run in purple and gold was inconsistent, Beasley remains a reliable perimeter shooter with career averages of 10.8 points and 37.8% shooting from beyond the arc. His familiarity with the organization and ability to space the floor makes him a logical depth addition, especially if the Lakers are planning for a rotation that prioritizes shooting around LeBron James and Davis.

While Beasley may not have lived up to expectations during his first Lakers stint, his time in Detroit showed flashes of his scoring prowess. In 2023-24, Beasley averaged 12.5 points per game on 38.4% three-point shooting, proving he can still be a valuable contributor when utilized properly. The Lakers, desperate to improve their outside shooting, hope a more defined role under Darvin Ham’s system will unlock Beasley’s full potential.

The Price for the Lakers: Losing a Fan Favorite and Valuable Pick

The flip side of the deal is the Lakers parting ways with Austin Reaves, a fan favorite and emerging contributor. Reaves, 26, became an integral part of the Lakers’ backcourt over the last two seasons, known for his playmaking, shot creation, and gritty competitiveness. His rise from undrafted free agent to reliable starter embodied the kind of underdog narrative Lakers fans gravitate toward.

Reaves averaged 15.8 points, 4.7 assists, and 4.2 rebounds last season while shooting 49% from the field and nearly 40% from three. His chemistry with both LeBron James and Anthony Davis was well documented, and his basketball IQ made him a trusted option in clutch moments.

For many in Laker Nation, seeing Reaves leave will be bittersweet. His scrappy play and rapid development made him a symbol of the team’s developmental success — but the front office clearly believes the opportunity to acquire a young, elite big man like Duren outweighs the emotional attachment to Reaves.

Shake Milton, who was included to make salaries work, played a limited role for the Lakers last season. His departure won’t have the same impact as Reaves’, but his versatility and experience provided valuable depth.

Additionally, the Lakers are sending their own 2031 first-round pick to Detroit, marking yet another instance of the franchise pushing future draft assets down the road in pursuit of near-term roster improvements. While 2031 feels distant, given the uncertainty surrounding the post-LeBron James era, the value of that pick could be significant. It’s a calculated gamble the Lakers are willing to make, banking on the belief that players like Duren can help extend their competitive window well beyond the current core.

Why the Pistons Made the Move: Backcourt Stability and Long-Term Flexibility

For the Detroit Pistons, this trade represents both a restructuring of their young core and an opportunity to secure valuable assets. Detroit, mired in yet another rebuilding season, has been searching for ways to accelerate their development while adding proven talent around cornerstone Cade Cunningham.

Acquiring Austin Reaves immediately bolsters their backcourt. His ability to play on or off the ball complements Cunningham’s playmaking style, and Reaves’ defensive versatility gives Detroit options when constructing their perimeter rotations. At 26, Reaves fits within the Pistons’ young timeline but brings playoff experience and maturity that the roster has largely lacked.

The inclusion of Shake Milton provides additional depth, while the 2031 first-round pick gives Detroit another future asset to either develop or leverage in subsequent trades. For a team still building from the ground up, adding proven talent like Reaves along with draft capital is a logical step.

However, parting with Jalen Duren will undoubtedly raise eyebrows in Detroit. Duren was viewed by many as a franchise pillar, and his rapid development had fans envisioning a dominant frontcourt anchored by his rebounding and rim protection. But with Detroit recently investing heavily in big men through the draft and free agency, the front office may have felt the opportunity to acquire a player of Reaves’ caliber — along with a future first-round pick — justified the price.

Outlook for the Lakers: Building for Now and Later

With this trade, the Lakers have reshaped their roster with an eye toward both present competitiveness and long-term sustainability. Jalen Duren addresses one of the team’s glaring needs — athletic size and rim protection — while his youth ensures the Lakers aren’t mortgaging the future entirely.

Pairing Duren with Anthony Davis offers the Lakers flexibility in how they structure their lineups. Davis can slide back to his preferred power forward role at times, while Duren holds down the paint. In smaller lineups, Duren can anchor the defense when Davis is off the floor, preserving AD’s health over an 82-game grind.

Malik Beasley, meanwhile, gives the Lakers additional spacing and scoring punch, particularly vital in a Western Conference loaded with offensive firepower. Beasley’s return, coupled with the continued emergence of players like Rui Hachimura and Max Christie, provides Darvin Ham with more rotational versatility.

The big question revolves around how the Lakers will replace Austin Reaves’ unique skill set. While Beasley fills some of the shooting void, Reaves’ ability to create off the dribble and facilitate in the half-court was critical for the Lakers last season. LeBron James’ playmaking excellence mitigates some of that loss, but finding secondary creators will be a focus as free agency progresses.

Pistons’ Perspective: Betting on Reaves, Flexibility for the Future

Detroit’s willingness to part with Duren suggests confidence in their remaining young frontcourt pieces and a desire to solidify their backcourt alongside Cade Cunningham. Reaves’ playoff experience and ascending trajectory make him an ideal running mate for Cunningham, capable of taking pressure off the former No. 1 overall pick while bringing professionalism and competitiveness to the locker room.

The addition of a 2031 first-round pick provides flexibility, especially as the Pistons continue to navigate a rebuild that has, at times, felt directionless. With financial flexibility, promising young talent, and additional draft capital, Detroit is positioning itself to be a player in future free agency cycles or trade markets.

This trade underscores the Lakers’ commitment to remaining championship contenders while preparing for life after LeBron James. Acquiring Jalen Duren gives them a franchise-caliber young big man, and Malik Beasley’s shooting addresses a glaring weakness. While parting with Austin Reaves will sting in the short term, the Lakers are banking on Duren’s upside and Beasley’s scoring to offset that loss.

For the Pistons, it’s a gamble on proven perimeter talent and future flexibility. Reaves’ arrival injects stability into Detroit’s backcourt, and the draft pick gives them leverage for future moves.

Time will tell which side ultimately benefits most from this high-profile trade, but for now, both teams have reshaped their identities — with eyes firmly fixed on brighter futures.