The NBA offseason is always a whirlwind of rumors, speculations, and hypothetical scenarios that send fanbases into a frenzy. While many mock trades never leave the group chat or the depths of Twitter threads, some carry enough intrigue to spark genuine conversation. That’s precisely the case with a new proposed trade circulating among league observers: a deal that would send three San Antonio Spurs players to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for rising guard Austin Reaves. On paper, it’s a jaw-dropping scenario. But when examined more closely, the motivations behind such a hypothetical swap might not be as far-fetched as they initially seem. For the Lakers, it could be an aggressive push to maximize their championship window with LeBron James still on the roster. For the Spurs, it could be a calculated move to get a high-IQ, multi-positional guard to help anchor their young core alongside generational talent Victor Wembanyama.
According to the proposed framework, the Lakers would receive Keldon Johnson, Tre Jones, and Doug McDermott, while the Spurs would get Austin Reaves and possibly a future second-round pick to balance the value. While no reports have confirmed any active negotiations between the two teams, the concept has lit up fan forums and sports radio shows across both Los Angeles and San Antonio. The idea isn’t without substance, either. All four players involved are under reasonable contracts, and each side would be addressing specific roster needs. But beyond contracts and needs, this trade scenario presents a philosophical divide between two franchises: the win-now ethos of Hollywood’s team versus the slow-cooked development strategy of San Antonio’s rebuilding project.
For the Lakers, parting ways with Austin Reaves would not be easy. Reaves has been one of the few bright spots in the post-bubble era for L.A., going from undrafted free agent to an indispensable starter. He brings a tenacity, versatility, and basketball IQ that make him a fan favorite and a trusted option for LeBron James. However, if the Lakers want to reshuffle their depth chart and surround LeBron and Anthony Davis with more consistent shooting, better bench production, and lineup flexibility, this deal becomes worth discussing. Tre Jones gives them a pass-first point guard who’s shown flashes of elite floor generalship. Keldon Johnson, a powerful and versatile wing, brings energy, defense, and scoring from the forward spots. And Doug McDermott, one of the league’s premier catch-and-shoot threats, offers spacing that could be pivotal in playoff matchups. Adding these three players potentially provides the Lakers with more balanced depth, something they sorely lacked during stretches of the 2024–25 season.
Tre Jones is perhaps the most intriguing piece of the puzzle. With D’Angelo Russell likely on the move and Gabe Vincent’s status uncertain due to injuries, the Lakers need a true point guard who can organize the offense and play within a system. Jones fits that mold perfectly. He’s not a scorer by nature, but his low turnover rate and steady leadership could be a boon for a Lakers team that sometimes struggles with cohesion. Meanwhile, Keldon Johnson’s rugged style of play could make him an immediate crowd favorite at Crypto.com Arena. Johnson thrives in transition, defends multiple positions, and brings a kind of toughness that the Lakers often lack when Davis is off the court. He could slot in anywhere from the 2 to the 4 depending on the matchup. Then there’s Doug McDermott, who would instantly become one of the Lakers’ most reliable perimeter shooters. His mere presence on the court changes defensive spacing, opening lanes for LeBron’s drives and Davis’ post-ups.
The Spurs, on the other hand, would be making a calculated gamble on upside and fit. Austin Reaves, just 26 years old, is the type of player head coach Gregg Popovich would love to mold. His high basketball IQ, unselfish play, and defensive effort align well with the Spurs’ developmental philosophy. Unlike some rebuilding teams that chase raw talent, the Spurs have always favored smart, fundamentally sound players who can execute their system. Reaves brings playmaking, shot creation, and a maturity that could benefit Victor Wembanyama’s development significantly. The two-man game between Reaves and Wembanyama could blossom into one of the more effective pick-and-roll combinations in the Western Conference. Reaves has already proven he can play alongside superstars, having shared the floor with LeBron and Davis while rarely looking out of place.
Moreover, this trade would also free up more opportunities for younger Spurs players like Jeremy Sochan, Malaki Branham, and Blake Wesley to grow without the logjam of veterans ahead of them. San Antonio’s front office has made it clear that building around Wembanyama is priority number one, and that means assembling a team that complements his unique skill set. Reaves may not be flashy, but he brings reliability and playmaking to a roster that sometimes struggles to initiate offense in the half court. He’d also relieve some of the pressure on Wembanyama to be the focal point every possession, giving the Spurs a more balanced attack. If the Spurs see Reaves as a long-term piece, it would make sense to pay the price of three players who may not be part of their future anyway.
Contractually, the trade is feasible. Reaves is on a bargain four-year deal worth roughly $54 million, a value many around the league consider to be a steal given his production. Keldon Johnson is on a reasonable extension, and both Jones and McDermott are on manageable contracts that wouldn’t handcuff the Lakers’ cap sheet. In fact, moving Reaves’ deal for these three players could allow the Lakers to better stagger contracts and maintain flexibility in future offseasons. It’s worth noting that Los Angeles is also preparing for a potentially massive contract extension for Anthony Davis and may still be eyeing one last title run with LeBron before he retires. That urgency might force the Lakers’ hand in making a bold move like this, even if it costs them a young cornerstone.
Still, there are plenty of risks. For the Lakers, trading away Reaves could backfire if the new additions don’t gel quickly or if injuries continue to plague the roster. Chemistry can’t be bought, and Reaves had become a trusted part of the team’s culture. Fans would likely react negatively in the short term, especially given how beloved he is within the community. For the Spurs, there’s the question of whether Reaves alone is worth giving up three rotation-level players. If he doesn’t take another leap in his game, or if injuries strike, the return could look underwhelming a year from now. The Spurs would also need to be convinced that Reaves is more than just a role player — that he’s a foundational piece who can help them return to playoff relevance.
There’s also the timing aspect. The Lakers’ window to contend is rapidly closing. LeBron isn’t getting younger, and every move the front office makes from here on out must be laser-focused on winning now. Trading for established rotation players rather than waiting on internal development might be their only viable path forward. On the flip side, San Antonio has time. With Wembanyama likely under team control for the better part of the next decade, the Spurs can afford to take calculated risks. A player like Reaves fits their age timeline and could be a long-term complement to their franchise centerpiece. If Reaves thrives in a bigger role, this trade could be viewed years later as a stroke of genius by the Spurs front office.
