Reject the Lakers! The price is 140 million yuan, and the next company is also found. James finally paid the wrong payment

Editor|Old Kankanqiu

The new NBA season is about to start, and many teams have completed upgrades this offseason. After the Rockets introduced Durant, they completely made up for their shortcomings, and the Nuggets welcomed Johnson, Brown, Valan, etc. Many people are beginning to look forward to the new season. However, there are also several teams that have disappointed their operations, such as the Warriors are deeply trapped in the contract quagmire of Kumingga, and are the only team in the entire league that has no contract transactions; the Clippers, which have just been strengthened, were also unexpectedly trapped in the public opinion vortex of Leonard's "yin and yang contract". ESPN revealed that many Clippers members have pushed the team to part ways with Leonard, which can be said to be "the wall is over and everyone is pushing the people to push them."

In addition, another Lakers, who are also two Los Angeles champions, have been remarkable in the offseason this year. After star LeBron James chose to execute the player option of up to $52.6 million next season, the team really didn't have much salary space. Despite this, General Manager Pelinka has introduced sharpshooter Laravia, No. 1 center Ayton, and former best defensive player Smart, which has exceeded many people's expectations. Most importantly, in June this year, the Lakers management decisively chose to give the team's third leader Reeves a four-year, $89.2 million contract renewal contract (the maximum amount stipulated in the labor-management agreement).

Who thought, Reeves and his team directly rejected the Lakers' contract with an average salary of nearly 23 million, and announced to the public that they planned to test the free market next year and seek a new contract with higher value. The young man James once supported in his most difficult period is now full of wings. League sources revealed that Reeves' team plans to request a multi-year maximum salary contract with an average salary of $30 million to $35 million next summer, which has attracted close attention from many teams such as the Spurs.

Time goes back to 2021. Reeves participated in the draft but failed to send an olive branch, and eventually signed a two-way basic salary contract with the Lakers as a undrafted draft. Subsequently, with James' encouragement and help, and his own efforts, Reeves gradually emerged and performed extremely well every year. He finally received a four-year, $54 million contract renewal in the summer of 23, with the last year being the player option.

Last season, Reeves completed his evolution again. During the regular season, he played a total of 73 games for the Lakers, and his average data increased to 20.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, 5.8 assists and 1.1 steals. Especially in the year-end battle last season, he scored 26 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists in the game, and completed a quasi-final kill at the last moment. He has completely grown from a fringe player to the core of the team.

Currently, Reeves' contract ($54 million in four years) has a salary of $13.94 million in the 2025-26 season and $14.9 million in the 2026-27 season (player choice). According to analysis by ESPN veteran salary expert Bobby Marks, if Reeves jumps out of his contract and becomes a free agent next summer, he has the opportunity to sign a four-year, $140 million quasi-maximum contract with other teams.

According to the latest report by US media ESPN, many teams in the league are paying attention to Reeves' contract renewal trends. According to the San Antonio Express, the Spurs plan to chase Reeves by "sign first and then exchange" method, intending to let him partner with Vinban Yama; and the Rockets also expressed strong interest in Reeves, and general manager Stone bluntly stated that "Reeves is the perfect reconstruction puzzle."

It has to be said that Reeves' confidence in refusing to renew the Lakers' contract is indeed more confident than in the summer of 2013. There are already many potential next players ready to move, and this is the bargaining chip he can negotiate with the Lakers. The Lakers' current situation is indeed a bit awkward. The team already has two major ball-controlling cores, James and Doncic. Reeves' position seems a bit awkward, and it has indeed weakened its power. Data shows that when Reeves is the main attacker, his offensive efficiency is as high as 118.5.

It is worth mentioning that Reeves had a scandal with the Spurs before renewing his contract with the Lakers in 2023, but he finally chose the Lakers and saw the opportunity to partner with James and his potential in the Lakers. Now, Reeves has made a fortune. Although he has expressed his desire to stay with the Lakers for a lifetime, the premise is that "the new contract must match its value."

Then obviously, the probability of Reeves entering the free market next summer is infinitely increasing. After all, James will also reach the renewal time next year, and the team is currently centered on Doncic and James. Several internal sources in the league revealed that if Reeves insists on an average salary of 30 million to 35 million, the Lakers may find it difficult for the Lakers to meet his requirements.

After all, the NBA is a business after all, and James is in the wrong way.