In the wake of Austin Reaves‘ career night on Sunday, Jovan Buha of The Athletic reports that the Lakers and Reaves’ camp have mutual interest in keeping the guard in Los Angeles beyond this season.
Because Reaves only received a two-year deal from the Lakers when he signed his first standard NBA contract in 2021, he won’t become eligible to sign a contract extension before he reaches restricted free agency this summer. Additionally, the team will only hold his Early Bird rights at that time, rather than his full Bird rights.
As Buha notes, that means L.A. will be limited to offering Reaves approximately $51MM over four years if they negotiate with him directly. At one point, that would have looked like more than enough financial flexibility to bring back Reaves, but his strong play this season has increased his value. Shams Charania of The Athletic (Twitter video link) suggested today that the 24-year-old’s market could be in that four-year, $50MM range, if not higher.
Reaves would have the ability to sign an offer sheet with a rival team that exceeds the Lakers’ best offer. However, the Gilbert Arenas provision would apply to such an offer sheet, meaning it couldn’t exceed the Early Bird amounts in years one or two but could include a substantial third-year raise. And despite only holding Reaves’ Early Bird rights, the Lakers would have the ability to match such an offer via the Arenas provision.
As Buha observes, how Reaves performs down the stretch and possibly in the postseason will help determine how his free agency plays out. But the former Oklahoma Sooner has established himself as a reliable rotation player in his second NBA season, averaging 12.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 2.9 assists with an impressive .518/.380/.854 shooting line in 54 games (27.8 MPG).
For his part, Reaves doesn’t sound like someone seeking change of scenery, having expressed gratification on Sunday for the opportunity to play for the Lakers.
“It’s special,” Reaves said after scoring 35 points in a victory over Orlando, per Buha. “I mean, I grew up a Lakers fan. To do it for this organization, especially, is surreal. Sometimes I gotta stop and really think about what I am doing. … All I’m really happy about is the win.”
This contact will be a steal the day the ink dry’s
Is there a team that’s had half the success as the Lakers with 2nd rders and UDFA’s the last decade?
Heat, raptors, and nuggets?
Actually Reaves picked the lakers to go to in the draft. He told clubs thinking of picking him in the second round he would not sign with them. As soon as he was not picked he had a contract with lakers waiting for him. So him resigning with a lakers is a certain if they offer him a contract close to other teams.
Draymond Green was a 2nd rounder. Jokic was also a 2nd rounder.
Lock him up now
If I were another team GM, I’d offer
DLo 4-year $110mm
Reaves 4 year $80mm team option at 4th
Schroeder 1 year 12mm
Rui 4 year 55mm
You force Lakers to pay $150mm tax each year and you got tax profit
In order to get Reaves 80 mil, they’d have to heavily backload the contract because of the Gilbert Arenas rule.
This is really the only way it could work out.
2023-24: $11,368,000
2024-25: $11,936,400
2025-26: $27,724,010
2026-27: $28,971,590
Total: $80,000,000
Definitely a weird structure if it comes to that.
Good post! Austin Reaves would be 50, 40, 90 next season
IMO
Wenyen Gabriel player comparison
Arron Gordon (Nuggets)
Wenyen Gabriel needs to get pay too.
2-year $12 million
Did you really just compare a guy who has been on six teams in four years to Gordon, someone who was up for All-Star consideration this year?
And, if you believe he’s comparable to Gordon, which is ridiculous in the first place, but, why would Gabriel take 2/$12M when Aaron makes about $20M a year?
I sometimes wonder if you’re just goofing with us that spend time on the site.
Jeez, that’s like the Tyler Johnson offer sheet the Nets gave, so when the Heat matched it they were screwed in that last year.
Lakers keep Dlo and Raves. Let Rui and Schroder go. Easy decision
I hope Jeanie can find it in her purse to keep Rui
Really think has got an extra level unseen so far
I see Austin taking a 2+1
Get the 26 mill the Next 2 years then be elig to opt out for a big payday if he keeps progressing
Non of those players are gonna get the contracts you mentioned above and non of them are worth that money. You’d be fired as the other teams gm as soon as the ink drys. That’s not how you run a team. What if the lakers say F it and gives you all them players on bad deals then what?
Reeves is not that good. By comparison to the Lakers bench, hes better than a lot of their players but thats not saying much. Hes probably going to get in the 15-20 million range, but thats a complete overpay. Hes more like a 5 million dollar a year player at most, not that impressive
I don’t know what game your wacthing but AR15 is definitely worth the mid level and more then 5 million
Lmao a Mets fan talking about an overlay. How’s your closer doing btw?
Guys, come on, let’s be a little reasonable here.
No doubt that Reeves looks like a quality contributor, but more than 4 years at $50M is an overpay.
Use Gary Trent as an example. His year two shooting percentages were better than Reeves, his per 36 numbers were similar, and his defence was considerably better. After a 3rd where his averages jumped to 15/5/2 with 1.5 SPG and 44/39/83 shooting, he earned a contract that started at $16M the following year.
Approximately $12.5M a year for Reeves seems reasonable, and anyone using the Gilbert provision to take the gamble that he becomes a $20M+ player is nuts.
First off very good post Greg
What id argue for Reaves is that he is a great facilitator , can run point , guard 1-3 and a better passer than Trent – A lot more versatile
Good point on the facilitator aspect to Reeves game.
Reeves has been good since day 1
Just give the same contract that you gave to kuzma and THT. I bet reaves would accept that offer