Trading simulation sends 3 Spurs players to the Lakers

According to Sidant Gupta, a contributor to US sports media F/W. Reeves is one of the Lakers' most valuable assets in the trade negotiations this offseason. While there is no trade yet, we looked at the trade idea for sending Lakers guards to the Spurs.

The Lakers appear to be a pretty comprehensive team as they enter the 2025-26 season. After making the necessary upgrades to each position, the team solved most of the roster issues. But given the “immediate victory” mentality presented by Doncic, the Purple Gold Legion may need to take some additional action, especially in the form of a trade. The Lakers' current trading assets include several upcoming contracts and some tradeable draft picks (mainly draft pick swaps). Amid the contract’s imminent expiration, their most valuable asset is their star defender Reeves. He has always been one of the most impressive young players on the team. Unfortunately, this also makes him their most sought-after list.

To transform the Lakers into a championship contender, Sports Illustrated's Mark Morales-Smith proposed a trade idea to send Reeves to the San Antonio Spurs in exchange for three capable players and a first-round draft pick. Let's take a closer look at the packaging.

Lakers won: Vassel, Castle, Sohan, 1 first-round pick

Spurs got: Reeves, Vincent, Vanderbilt, Kleber, 1 second-round pick

Judging from the number of assets transferred, it is obvious that this deal will have a significant impact on the two related teams. Here we focus on the impact on the Lakers:

The Lakers inject new stars and vitality into the lineup

By parting ways with Reeves and four veterans, the Lakers injected young people into their lineup in this trade proposal. The addition of Vassel, Sohan and Castle, as well as a first-round draft pick, had a huge impact on the team. With Reeves leaving the team, Smart will obviously enter the starting rotation to consolidate the team's main roster. This allows the Lakers to configure the remaining backup rotation based on the showdown.

Wasel and Castle both add momentum to the backcourt rotation. Vassel has proven his ability to be a scoring threat when he gets chances and playing time. The 24-year-old averaged 16.3 points and 4.9 rebounds per game, showing the ability to score quickly when he came out of the bench. Castle, meanwhile, is a talented young point guard. The 14.7-year-old averaged 3.7 points, 4.1 rebounds and 20 assists in his rookie season, bringing length, skill and athleticism to the team, as well as potential as a development player. After winning the ROTY Award, he is expected to achieve a great leap forward next season. Although these two are good for the backcourt, Sohan is good for the frontcourt as well.

After parting ways with Vanderbilt, the Lakers need a reliable wing guard to fill the vacant. Sohan became a very capable replacement. The 22-year-old striker is known for his defensive advantage, rebounding and athleticism. Last season, he scored 11.4 points and 6.5 rebounds, which is significantly more productive in almost every department compared to Vanderbilt.

These acquisitions will provide the Purple Gold Legion with the necessary depth and energy to compete with some of the best teams in the league. In addition, with the addition of Wassel and Castle, Knecht will become a trading item, allowing the Lakers to make the necessary trades to enhance their overall strength and win in the moment.