As free agency comes to an end and teams begin to see their rosters for the 2025–2026 season, the NBA appears to be at a standstill, but it does not preclude any big transactions.
The biggest offseason transaction to date has undoubtedly been the Phoenix Suns’ trade of Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets, and despite numerous rumors of mutual interest, the San Antonio Spurs were among the few teams that were unable to acquire the 15-time All-Star.
The Spurs may now be searching in a different area for their next game-changing player.
San Antonio might be better suited keeping their core young and preparing for the future, even though some trade possibilities might help push the Spurs over the edge as they attempt to contend for a championship around Victor Wembanyama as soon as feasible. However, there is a solution for them to remain young and obtain a proven difference-maker.
In an NBA trade proposal, the Lakers send Austin Reaves to the Spurs.
Austin Reaves of the Los Angeles Lakers would join the Spurs in a wild deal suggested by Mark Morales-Smith of SI’s Fantasy Sports, but perhaps at a hefty cost.
Austin Reaves, Gabe Vincent, Jarred Vanderbilt, Maxi Kleber, and a second-round selection are acquired by the San Antonio Spurs.
Devin Vassell, Stephon Castle, Jeremy Sochan, and a first-round pick are acquired by the Los Angeles Lakers.
Reaves, 27, is a fantastic player who just made his Lakers debut, but the Spurs would be foolish to make this move. The Spurs probably wouldn’t even give Stephon Castle for Reaves in a one-for-one trade, despite the fact that he averaged 20.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, 5.8 assists, and 1.1 steals per game as a third option for the Lakers last season.
The Spurs’ reasons for not making this trade
With an average of 14.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game, Castle, 20, is fresh off an NBA Rookie of the Year victory. He has shown signs of being a major difference maker on both sides of the ball and the guy the Spurs will need in the future.
It would be a stretch to trade Castle for Reaves outright, and San Antonio would also include Jeremy Sochan and Devin Vassell?
San Antonio would not want to offer the Lakers more firepower, thus the Spurs have no real reason to send Castle away unless it is for a genuine upgrade, such as in a possible package to get Giannis Antetokounmpo or Jaylen Brown.
If the Spurs make this trade, their starting lineup will consist of De’Aaron Fox, Austin Reaves, Keldon Johnson, Jarred Vanderbilt, and Victor Wembanyama. Dylan Harper, Luke Kornet, Carter Bryant, Gabe Vincent, and Harrison Barnes would make up their bench core. Overall, the Spurs would probably suffer as a result of this move.
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