As Reeves refuses to renew his contract with the Lakers in advance, the Lakers are likely to make three major changes in response to James.

Let’s talk with everyone about the Lakers’ goals for this season and their long-term team building plan. The key information is two points: First, Walter has officially purchased the Lakers. Although Jeanie Buss is still the president, the big boss has changed after all, which has an impact on the strategic planning of the entire team; second, Reeves refused to renew the Lakers' contract in advance. A four-year contract of less than $90 million obviously cannot match Reeves' current data performance.

Among them, Reeves refused to renew his contract with the Lakers in advance, which will have a great impact on the Lakers' player system construction next summer! Whether to sign Reeves and the resulting salary cap issue will directly affect the contract extension with James.

Reeves refused to renew his contract in advance

According to reports from the Lakers team reporter, Reeves has rejected the current four-year maximum salary extension of US$8,920 offered by the Lakers. Then, according to the rules, if Reeves breaks out of the contract, he can strive for a five-year maximum salary contract of US$246 million with the Lakers!

This specification is a completely super-giant contract. Even for a wealthy team like the Lakers that focuses on star combinations, it is a very heavy contract and needs to be carefully studied and judged! Considering that Reeves will not sign with the Lakers next summer, he can also seek a four-year, $180 million contract with other NBA teams, so he will definitely not accept the current four-year, $89.2 million contract.

Influence on James' contract renewal

From James's perspective, he has no plans to retire next summer, otherwise he will conduct many supporting promotional activities for his retirement this season. So, if James does not retire, the Lakers need to comprehensively consider a team-building strategy around Doncic? Is it 246 million to sign Reeves and build a combination of Doncic + Reeves to compete for the championship? Or continue to renew James' contract?

Three impacts on James

One is the drop in expectations. Without James, the Lakers' record this season is actually quite good, and James is no longer needed in the tactical system.

The second is the market effect. Doncic is the top player in the market, Reeves is also in the limelight now, and James' influence on LA has declined.

The third is season performance. Redick needs James to return and launch an impact on the championship this season. This is also a key part of testing whether to renew James' contract next year!