On paper, the Nuggets are the favorites to reach the NBA Finals. But Lakers guard Austin Reaves doesn’t view his team – the West’s No. 7 seed – as the underdog, Jovan Buha of The Athletic relays.
“I think the seeding thing is, it’s just a number,” the Lakers guard said. “When you have guys like Bron, AD, that’s won championships … (you) always feel like you have a chance, especially with the roster that we have and the talent that we have.”
Lakers forward Anthony Davis echoed those sentiments: “Our expectations inside are way higher than showing up to the Western Conference Finals.”
We have more from the Western Conference:
- The Lakers need to do whatever than can to retain Reaves, who will be a restricted free agent after the season, Mirjam Swanson of the Orange County Register writes. Reaves is averaging 15.4 points, 4.8 rebounds and 4.3 assists during the playoffs. The Lakers hold his Early Bird rights and are limited to an $11.4MM offer in the first year of a new contract, but they can match an offer sheet.
- Stephen Curry is still hopeful of getting another championship with the Warriors, Vince Goodwill of Yahoo Sports writes. “You can’t win it every year, but you wanna be in the position to be serious contenders,” Curry said after the Warriors were eliminated by the Lakers. “Final eight, you can retool and be back.”
- A scout told Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle that if the Rockets wind up with Brandon Miller, he can immediately be inserted into the team’s lineup. “His overall package is sort of the modern, NBA wing-type player,” the scout said. “I think he’ll be able to plug that in wherever he goes fairly quickly.”
What else is Curry going to say? “Actually, I’m all set. I’ve decided I don’t like winning anymore.” Can’t believe someone got paid to interview him and that was their best question. Makes me sick…
Warriors can retool and still make a run. But I don’t see a Finals appearance. Unless they pull off a major trade. They have solid young talent. Kuminga, Moody, even Poole for matching contracts. That they can trade. The window is definitely closing.
It’s all about Draymond this offseason…
If they can get him back on a number that is representative of a ageing one way player they’ll have enough wiggle room to upgrade their depth…
If he’s back on his option or an overpay… It’s time to hope for a decent vet minimun signing…
The Warriors will be way over the cap no matter what Draymond does. There will be no wiggle room to sign anything other than veteran minimum free agents. Thanks to the new CBA they won’t even be able to use the mid level exception. If the Warriors want to make significant additions it will have to be via trades of Poole or Wiggins or Klay and maybe Payton.
Poole, Kuminga and picks for Towns. Helps both teams
Outside of a salary dump, or change of scenery trade, why would anyone want Poole? The guy hasn’t shown a whole lot.
Looking like a Nugget kind of year. Lakers not beating them. And neither Celtics or Heat can deal with Jokic. They collapse on him like they do on Embiid. Jokic will make them pay. I guess Jokic will gladly take the Larry O’Brien trophy and Finals MVP trophy. Over the nba season MVP .
Don’t see Reaves leaving
I think he flex’s his leverage via a 3rd year player option with the Lakers.
A very similar path to what Kuzma just took who’s now gonna get mega paid a bit earlier than he would have .
How much would a team have to give Reaves before the Lakers let him go? And more importantly how much worse will Reaves play if he’s not on the floor with LeBron?
Lakers will have a different team next year. Lose at least 2 to 3 rotation players. After signing what they have in FA there will be no money to sign more players.
I’ll take that bet Arc
Who exactly are they losing here?
There’s always the chance that GM Lebron could try to trade some teammates during the playoffs.