As expected, the Lakers have extended qualifying offers to Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura, making both players restricted free agents, the team’s PR department tweets.
Reaves qualifying offer will be worth a projected $2,219,706 ($200K above his minimum salary); Hachimura’s QO carries a $7,744,600 price tag.
The Lakers have prioritized re-signing both players, who sparked the team as it reached the Western Conference Finals. Reaves averaged 13.0 points and 3.4 assists in 28.8 minutes during the regular season. His breakthrough campaign continued into the postseason, where he averaged 16.9 points, 4.6 assists and 4.4 rebounds in 36.2 minutes per night.
Hachimura was acquired from Washington in January. He averaged 9.6 points and 4.7 rebounds in 33 regular-season appearances with the Lakers, then put up 12.2 points and 3.6 rebounds in 24.3 minutes per game during the postseason.
By making the duo restricted free agents, the Lakers can match any offer sheet, and reports in recent weeks have indicated they fully plan to do so.
Reaves worth more than Poole???? Um playoffs say YES
Austin Reaves is definitely a better player than Jordan Poole because he can do everything on the court and is a two way player. He might not be worth more than him because the new CBA is about to change how guys are getting these crazy contracts. This summer will be the last year to check a real big bag.
What are the guesses here? Might be off in my evals but it seems like Reeves easily gets 15-19 for 3, Rui probably 13-17…. Are Lakers matching overpays? On both? And who’s overpaying?
I think reeves played well enough in the playoffs and still has enough upside that he could get a contract somewhere around 4 years and between 70-90 mil and I think the lakers match. I agree with you on Rui, and depending on what they have to match for Reeves will probably dictate whether or not they match Rui.
I predict the Lakers will match both. Reeves will be 4 years and 80 million and Hachimura will be 3 years and $39 million
Rui, Rui, giving casual fans an ooey
Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura are both 25 years old and need to be locked in by the Los Angeles Lakers. They both are two way players that got plenty of potential to be very nice role players in this league and Star in their roles. Austin Reaves is a starting shooting guard in the NBA and I think Rui Hachimura can be a starting power forward but also a great 6th man.
I can’t see sustained success for Reaves. His lack of athleticism and reckless playstyle are big question marks for me – if you watch him on defense, he’s throwing himself around the court in quite a reckless way… Almost Dellavadova levels.
I’m not questioning his very obvious recent success, just the longevity of it.
Oh, so he’s actually trying on defense as opposed to the vast majority of the rest of the team is what you’re saying.
Not really, moreso that he’s not especially effective – he’s killing himself to be mediocre.
I suppose that’s admirable and players CAN improve on that end despite getting older, so…