US media reveals why Reeves is not as valuable as Desmond Bain in potential transactions

According to Gautam Variel, a columnist of US sports media F/W. The Grizzlies have earned a considerable return by trading Bain, but the Lakers are unlikely to get a similar return for Reeves.

The first big deal this summer happened today, with the Grizzlies sending Bain to the Magic. While one might think the Bain deal wouldn't involve much assets, the Magic did eventually give up a lot. The Grizzlies received Pope, Anthony, the 16th overall pick in 2025, a 2026 first-round pick from the Suns, and a 2028 and 2030 first-round pick from the Magic, and a 2029 first-round pick exchange.

The huge reward has convinced Lakers fans that the team can get similar or even better returns for Reeves, whose name has appeared in the trade rumors. Reeves easily became the best trading asset the Lakers have as he is finishing the best season of his career. Reeves averaged 20.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, 5.8 assists and 1.1 steals per game for the Lakers in 2024-25. The 27-year-old performed better than Bain, who averaged 19.2 points, 6.1 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 1.2 steals per game for the Grizzlies.

While looking at the fact that these numbers are basically the same age as them shows that they will gain considerable gains, this is not the case. A big reason is the contract situation. Bain will enter his second year of a five-year, $197 million contract extension in the 2025-26 season. While he would eat a large portion of their salary cap, they gave him at least four seasons of contract. Reeves, on the other hand, may leave within a year. The defender has a $14.9 million player option in the 2026-27 season and is expected to refuse to become a free agent in 2026.

So, Reeves' contract is basically one year left, and in this case you won't get a big reward for the players unless you are a superstar. His next contract will not be cheap either. The biggest contract the Lakers can offer Reeves this offseason is $82.9 million in four years. It would be a good deal, but he wouldn't accept it. All Reeves needs to do is wait a year and he will be eligible for a five-year contract that will pay him $42.5 million in the first year.

Reeves may not ask for that much salary, but he is reportedly seeking a starting salary of $30 million, which is one of the biggest reasons why the deal rumours surfaced. It may be in the Lakers' best interest to transfer to Reeves this summer, rather than giving him that big contract next year. Although he is a very good player, Reeves and Doncic are not good defenders. They were horriblely exposed in the first round of the playoffs as the Wolves eliminated the Lakers in five games.

Worse, Reeves is also unstable on the offensive end. In the game against the Timberwolves, he averaged 16.2 points, 5.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists per game, shooting 41.1% from the field and 31.9% from three-pointers. While you will look at those offensive struggles as an anomaly, it is impossible for Reeves to perform on the other end. So you will also think you must consider parting ways with him, because Doncic will not go anywhere.

Reeves' struggle as a defender is another reason why he is not as valuable as Bain in the deal. Although the latter is by no means a star guard, he can still maintain his position on the defensive end. With all that in mind, it would be interesting to see how the Lakers handle Reeves this offseason. If they decide not to trade him, then you imagine they are willing to give him a huge new contract. Is this the right decision? You can see the pros and cons, it really depends on whether Rivers can make another leap in a year or two.