Austin Reaves putting Lakers in impossible spot with breakout NBA ...
Austin Reaves’ breakout season could cause potential concern for the Lakers as his contract negotiations will be a high priority once their postseason run ends.
The 24-year-old shooting guard has been an integral part of the Lakers’ success during his sophomore season, creating risk he will surpass the Lakers’ price range.
According to reports, the Lakers have the salary cap capability to match any offer up to four years and $50 million.
Shams Charania of The Athletic discussed Reaves’ offers and the pending threat to the Lakers roster in an appearance on FanDuel TV this week.
“I think there is a concern, for sure if you’re the Lakers, that he is gonna get potentially an offer sheet way, way higher than 50,” Charania said.
Reaves has averaged 16 points per game this postseason, while shooting an impressive 41.7 percent on 3-pointers.
Austin Reaves during Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals.AP
“The more this postseason goes on, the more Austin Reaves gets on the court and plays, he’s showing himself to be a top three, top four option on this team,” Charania said.
Reaves has helped the Lakers reach the Western Conference finals after they took down the Grizzlies and Warriors in the first two rounds.
Reaves hit a half-court shot before halftime of the Lakers’ Game 6 win over the Warriors that eliminated the defending champs.
Los Angeles opened the Western Conference Finals on Tuesday night against the top-seeded Nuggets, falling 132-126.
“Teams like San Antonio and Houston — you have to look at a guy like that because he’s not old, he’s not super young either,” Charania said.
“He’s kind of that middle of the pack age-range guy that is still young enough career-wise that he can come in, fit among your group, be a veteran leader to an extent, but still grow and develop with your group.”
The Lakers have the right to match any contract offer, but teams with room to spend can make that extremely difficult for the Lakers.
Austin Reaves will be a free agent this offseason.USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con
Austin Reaves talks with reporters after Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals.NBAE via Getty Images
“Yeah, I want to be a Laker,” Reaves said in a recent interview with Charania. “Obviously they gave me the first opportunity. I was a huge Laker fan growing up, big Kobe fan. Honestly just to be able to play for the Lakers organization is special and I want to be a Laker. So hopefully we can get this done and I can stay there for hopefully my whole career.”
Reaves won’t be the Lakers’ only offseason concern.
D’Angelo Russell and Dennis Schroder are set to become unrestricted free agents, further challenging the Lakers as they likely try to keep together a team that sits eight wins away from an unlikely NBA championship.
