The Lakers may use Reeves as the trading entity to chase three star players in the offseason

According to Eddie Bitar, senior contributor of US sports media F/W, the Los Angeles Lakers were eliminated by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the 2025 NBA playoffs. They can get three star players and form a dominant super team before next season. They are surpassed on both ends of the court, and for a team built on a brilliant dynasty and super team, losing five games in the first round of the playoffs must be considered some kind of crisis. Especially when you consider that James will be his 41st birthday next year and the Lakers’ bold gambling that paired him with Doncic hasn’t produced the ultimate reward.

Management knows that time is not long. This is where Reeves comes in. The unselected player before the trade deadline turned into a great third choice this season, averaging 20.2 points, 5.8 assists and 37.7% shooting percentage. His chemistry with LeBron and Luca is real. But if the Lakers want to cash out and bring in another star to form the real Big Three, Reeves is their best and most mobile asset: young, efficient and well-contracted.

The West is getting harder and harder, James's career is coming to an end, Los Angeles has no choice but to think boldly. We have identified three star players that the Lakers can actually target by putting Reeves on the trading market this offseason.

1. Markanen

The Los Angeles Lakers received: Markanen

The Utah Jazz got: Reeves, Hachimura, Electric Fan, 2031 first-round draft pick, 2026 first-round draft pick exchange

For the Lakers, this move forms the real Big Three: Doncic, James and Markanen. Imagine a pick-and-roll game between Luca and Marca, or LeBron feeds him a transitional three-pointer. He immediately resolved the space issues in Los Angeles while giving them another All-Star scorer who can attack when needed. If Pelinka wants to go all out in the 2025-26 season, this is one of the important things to sign up for the offseason.

2. Zach Laven

The Los Angeles Lakers received: Zach Laven

The Salamento Kings received: Reeves, Electric Fans, Vanderbilt, 2031 first-round draft pick

This deal is risky for the Lakers. Laven’s health and huge contracts are both question marks. But if the goal is to maximize the LeBron-Lucca window, then this gambling makes sense. LaVine will give them the best pure scorer since Davis's peak, and since Luca and LeBron's defense have been under pressure, LaVine can greatly reduce the burden on the two.

3. Anfanie Simmons

The Los Angeles Lakers received: Anfanie Simmons

Portland Trail Blazers received: Reeves, Vanderbilt, 2031 first-round draft pick

He is an outside shooter with range, a capable auxiliary playmaker, and most importantly, he doesn't need to make an impact with 20 shots a night, which is the ideal third choice in the super team setup. For Los Angeles, Simmons offers less star power than Lavender or Markkanen, but it can be said to be more appropriate. His off-ball shot will double the penalty for his opponent. Additionally, he was young and could grow up with Luca after LeBron, which made him a bridge between the times. It's a smart deal, but if Los Angeles wants to compete now and in the years to come, it's probably the most sustainable.

Compared to looking for star players, Pelinka should solve the problem of Lakers' inside shortcomings in the offseason. What do you think?