Reeves refused to ask for a maximum salary, and the Lakers executives were angry! Let s talk: 12 million to find a substitute!

On May 29, the open-air stand reported that Lakers guard Reeves will definitely reject the player option worth $14.9 million in the new season and intends to ask for a starting salary of $207 million in five years (average annual average of 30 million). What kind of mystery is hidden behind this crazy maximum salary bet? Can Xiao Li's performance and actions be able to bear the maximum salary dream???

Let's review the growth path of the NBA: On July 30, 2021, Xiao Li joined the Los Angeles Lakers as a substitute, and doubts from the outside world were one after another. After all, he was not noticed by any team in the previous draft. As the "single-core" scorer at the University of Oklahoma, although he averaged 27.8 points per game in the NCAA, his height of 1.96 meters and lack of top athletic ability once made the outside world think that he could not adapt to the high-intensity NBA counterattack, and labeled him as unbeatable and unbeatable.

However, the "red-haired boy" broke the bias with his performance, playing 73 games in the regular season during his service with the Lakers, averaging 20.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, 5.8 assists per game, and a three-point shooting percentage of 37.7%. Although his efficiency is not top-notch, he has repeatedly contributed key goals against strong teams such as the Warriors and Suns, and was called "Mr. Playoff Mode" by Coach Vogel. When the Lakers fell into a wave of injuries, Xiao Li ushered in an outbreak. In the 2022-2023 playoffs, he averaged 16.9 points, 4.4 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game, and his three-point shooting percentage increased to 44.3%; in the five-game series against the Nuggets, he averaged 22.0 points, 5.2 rebounds and 6.0 assists per game, and his three-point shooting percentage was 43.8%, and he was unable to support himself in overtime many times. His tough defense (1.2 steals per game) and conversion offensive ability have become the core variable for the Lakers to return to the Western Conference Finals.

However, according to the contract, Xiao Li can only have a player option of $14.9 million in the 2026-27 season. If he refuses to execute and test the free market, he will face two possibilities next: first, the Lakers match the offer to keep him on the team, and second, he accepts maximum salary invitations from other teams.

The contracts of the same No. 1 pick Morant (208 million in 5 years) and Chet (130 million in 4 years) are both of them have a combat power premium, while Reeves averaged only 16.2 points per game in the playoffs this quarter, and there is a chance of the outbreak in the playoffs. Also, as all-star point guards, such as Lillard (220 million in 4 years) and DeRozan (190 million in 4 years) have a higher salary threshold, but Li's performance has not yet proved his own sustained stability. Let's look at the Lakers' current salary structure dilemma: James (47.6 million) and Davis (40.6 million) have occupied 73% of the salary space. If Li's maximum salary is matched, the team will obviously be unable to sign high-quality role players, which is contrary to the management's strategic "winning for the championship first".

In contrast, Xiao Li's advantage lies in his versatile attributes: he can attack with the ball, switch to multiple positions, and his performance in the playoffs is convincing. But his defensive end still has loopholes and lacks the top ability to independently create offenses.

Although the Warriors have previously revealed their appreciation for Li Xiao, the possibility of offering a maximum salary is extremely low - after all, the Warriors are more inclined to train Kumingga. The Lakers also hope to keep Xiao Li, but the cost-effectiveness of his contract has sparked internal discussion. According to The Athletic, Lakers executives were more annoyed in the face of salary threats, believing that Xiao Li's rejection of the option was a "immature manifestation". They even said they wanted to find a replacement for an annual salary of 12 million to 15 million in the free market. However, head coach Vogel publicly supported Xiao Li: "His desire to win is the most trait that the Lakers need. Whether to stay or stay, I believe there will be an answer for it. However, the editor secretly predicted Xiao Li's possible potential next home here:

1. Warriors: Talents like Xiao Li, but their high salary may not be able to be swallowed.

2. Nets: Key players need to be supplemented with high-quality players when they leave, but it is extremely difficult to match salary.

3. Overseas League: European teams can provide a contract of 30 million after tax, but Xiao Li has no intention of leaving.

Maximum salary demand is essentially a challenge for the new generation of players to "normalize super maximum salary". On the other hand, the business logic of the NBA is cruel and realistic - only by continuously proving that he is "not selling", the maximum salary will not become a curse of his career. If the Lakers finally choose to let go, Xiao Li's next contract salary may fall to the bottom; on the contrary, if the dream of maximum salary comes true, this Lakers, with an average age of 29, will be bet on the final window for the championship. Fans, what do you think about Xiao Li's maximum salary demand? Welcome to express your opinions in the comment area