Perfect Lakers trading plan, exchange Reeves for young players and two first rounds

According to US sports media F/W reporter Sidante Gupta. More troublesome news continues to come to the Lakers offseason, and Reeves refuses the four-year maximum contract extension offered to him. While this is expected, this decision puts the Lakers in a very complicated position given his much more value in the market. Reeves' contract is undervalued and will now earn less than $14 million next season. He is a true star considering his average of 20.2 points, 4.5 rebounds and 5.8 assists last season and a 46.0% shooting percentage.

The 27-year-old decided to refuse the highest contract renewal, which puts him on the verge of becoming a free agent this summer. Reeves expressed his desire to stay in the Purple and Gold Legion. This will allow the team to sign a new contract with him in the 2026 offseason. The Lakers may offer him a $246 million five-year contract. This has a significant impact on the team, especially considering Doncic's to-go contract and James' future prospects for the team.

James is currently expected to choose to join in the final year of his contract, which will allow him to become a free agent next summer. If the Lakers superstar disappears from the books, re-signing Reeves at that value will not be too much of a challenge, especially given the team will have additional spending power, thanks to their new boss. In the unfortunate situation where the Lakers can’t do that, let’s look at the potential deals the Purple Gold Army can try to make to make the most of his contract.

Lakers get: Vassel, 2027 and 2029 first-round draft picks

Spurs get: Reeves

The addition of Vassel may bring significant changes to the Lakers' overall starting rotation

The 24-year-old has relatively reduced work efficiency and reduced playing time after he quits the Spurs' main rotation. But he averaged 16.3 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game. He is also impressive on the offensive end, shooting 44.3% from the field while shooting 36.8% from the outside of the arc. Vassel's creativity as an offensive player may not be comparable to Reeves, but in this case his finishing ability may make him a better way out.

24-year-old is also three years younger than the Lakers star, and with four years left on his contract, the Lakers will have some flexibility to manage their cap space after acquiring him. And the Lakers have added two draft picks to their reserves. The Lakers have overdrawn too many draft picks in recent years, and while these only make sense in two years, having draft capital has always been a positive sight.

Rivers' joining accelerates the Spurs' transition from playoff contenders to championship contenders

The Spurs have some very talented players in the backcourt. From Fox and Castle to their rookie Harper, the Spurs are at the back position. While Rivers's addition could theoretically cause problems for players like Castle and Harper, it could also be invaluable to have him help them develop. Competition in starting positions may see the two growing at a faster pace, which is a positive sight for a young team.

Reeves' offensive versatility will work well with Fox, who often moves in mid-range distance. While the Lakers star is also known for doing so, he has proven himself a competent three-point shooter, even when off the ball. Reeves' distribution and pick-and-roll ability also make him a reliable partner for Vinban Yama. The Reeves and Vinban Yama combination may confuse the opponent's defense because Reeves has the ability to create shots for himself, and the big man has the ability to shoot.

The Spurs' roster looks interesting since picking Harper. With future champion aspirations, joining Reeves will be part of the overall situation and thus need to strengthen their frontcourt. While the deal won't necessarily help the Lakers become a title contender, the Spurs are likely to be a real threat to the West's favorites.