Coming into the season, Austin Reaves’ impending free company was a giant matter surrounding the Los Angeles Lakers. Regardless of his poor playoff efficiency final 12 months, Reaves continues to be seen as a key a part of LA’s future as they appear to construct round their newly acquired star Luka Doncic.
Given the Lakers’ lack of depth on the wing although, the thought of swapping Reaves for a flexible wing was additionally a risk, particularly if LA’s season began off sideways. Reaves has put these rumors to relaxation, and he could also be main the Lakers to creating a troublesome choice.
Austin Reaves is so good that he could also be too costly for the Lakers
To this point this season, not solely has Reaves been taking part in nicely, however he has been the most effective guards within the league. He’s averaging 28 factors per recreation, which is definitely a profession excessive, taking pictures 52 p.c from the sector and 36 p.c from three-point vary. He’s additionally averaging practically seven assists a recreation as nicely.
Reaves has additionally excelled in video games the place Doncic has missed. He’s averaging 41 PPG and ten assists within the 4 video games Doncic hasn’t performed in, together with a 51-point outburst in opposition to the Sacramento Kings.
Reaves has improved steadily over the past 4 seasons, however within the final two years, he has proven large development. He’s now not a job participant. He has the chops to be a lead guard on a contending workforce.
His in-between recreation has grown considerably. He’s manipulating the protection constantly relating to scoring, and on nights the place his shot isn’t falling, he nonetheless finds a solution to playmake at an elite degree.
Reaves will command heavy curiosity as a free agent
The final time Reaves was a free agent, he gave the Lakers a hometown low cost. He signed a four-year, $52 million deal that was a steal then and appears like a good greater one now.
Reaves has expressed a heavy want to stick with LA, as he desires to win. He additionally loves taking part in with Doncic, and the 2 have proven nice chemistry collectively, regardless of the defensive issues. Doncic is aware of how you can play subsequent to a different ball-dominant guard, as he did it in Dallas with Kyrie Irving, and so they went to the finals in 2024.
The Lakers need to hold Reaves as a part of their long-term plans, particularly with LeBron James on his approach out. The query is, are they going to be prepared to signal him to the max contract he deserves? In the event that they don’t, different groups will line up for the guard’s providers this summer time.
