Austin Reaves joining Spurs would break the Lakers rivalry wide open

How does a 20 points per game scorer and one of the most improved players in the NBA sound? Good, well, get prepared because the Spurs will be on the hunt for talent this summer.

Over recent days, Los Angeles reporters have been buzzing, explaining that rising star Austin Reaves may be on his way out of LA. Bill Plaschke of the Los Angeles Times mentions, "The Lakers must trade Austin Reaves." The rumors are heating up and starting to blaze.

In the 2024-25 season, Austin Reaves played his best season to date. Even with Luka Doncic coming aboard, Reaves racked career highs of 20.2 points per game and 5.8 assists per game. I was shocked seeing his name snubbed from the Most Improved Player ballot.

Reaves has transformed himself from being a spark-plug scorer off the bench to a must-start player capable of taking over a game on any night. Reaves can light you up from deep or take it inside, putting his body into the defense for a foul. With a keen sense of the game, he is an excellent playmaker and is always looking to get his teammates involved.

So why would the Lakers trade this budding star?

While Reaves maintained his scoring prowess during the regular season, he was usurped by Doncic and LeBron James in the postseason for obvious reasons. His upside is being capped in Los Angeles, and he will never see the height of his potential playing alongside these ball-dominant players.

Reaves will enter the third year of his four-year, $54 million contract next season and the last, in the 2026 offseason, leaves Reaves with a player option. Based on how Reaves has transcended expectations, he will be ready to hit the market and seek a deal worth much more. There is no better time for the Lakers to ship him off.

If Lakers General Manager Rob Pelinka agrees, they will be taking calls on Reaves this summer. After all, it is Doncic's team, and they will find every avenue to support him.

That's when the Spurs come in

A link between the Spurs and Reaves was already made in 2023, as the Spurs debated an offer sheet of $100 million, making San Antonio a clear suitor for his talents. A potential trade package for Reaves could include Keldon Johnson or Harrison Barnes to match salaries and one of the Spurs' first-round picks in the upcoming draft.

The welcoming of De'Aaron Fox should not scare the Spurs off from trading for Reaves. In fact, the pair would work pleasantly together and play off each other's talents. Fox is excellent in transition, while Reaves can create better for himself in the half-court. This new Black and Silver duo would rain down buckets and unlock a powerful Spurs offense.

Reaves would also excel in the pick-and-roll with Victor Wembanyama. Needing spacing, the Frenchman would get everything he could ever want with Reaves. On nights when the big man struggles with his shot, he can turn to Reaves to make magic happen. This potential pairing would be near unstoppable.

Financially, Reaves' cheap salary would greatly benefit the Spurs next season as they push for the playoffs, and they would have the means to pay him the following offseason. While not included in a potential trade, the move would likely mark the end of Devin Vassell in San Antonio. The pair has conflicting skill sets, and Devin Vassell's $135 million would need to go to an improved Reaves contract.

Preparing for a loaded offseason, the Spurs need to keep their eye on Reaves and be ready to strike. The connection has been built, now it's time to make it happen.