This summer is the first time in Austin Reaves’ career where he can have himself a big payday. Thanks to his yearly improvement over five seasons with the Lakers, he should be able to get that huge salary increase and be set.
However, the question remains: at what number will he be paid? It’s been reported that Reaves is expected to make at least $40 million annually. While that number might bring sticker shock to fans, the market is the market. If the Lakers aren’t prepared to pay it, someone else
will.
Dan Woike of The Athletic published an article on Friday morning stating that the Pistons, Hawks and Nets are all interested in bringing Reaves to their franchise.
Multiple front-office sources around the league, granted anonymity to freely discuss an opposing player, expect Reaves to have interest from the Brooklyn Nets, with a four-year, $178.5 million contract expected to be offered. League sources said the Detroit Pistons and Atlanta Hawks are among a group of interested teams that can create space to make competitive offers. Other teams could also emerge.
At the same time, league sources said teams are approaching free agency with increased caution because of the restrictions tied to the league’s first and second tax aprons, potentially leading to more conservative spending than in previous summers.
Acquiring Reaves makes sense for all these Eastern Conference teams. All of them need backcourt scoring, and Reaves would be the guy in Brooklyn and Atlanta, and a huge part of the offense in Detroit, helping Cade Cunningham in his attempt to be a champion.
The good news for the Lakers is that they have the edge over these teams thanks to their established relationship with Reaves. This is the only team he’s played for, it appears it’s been a great relationship and LA is set to be a successful franchise for years to come with a Reaves and Luka Dončić backcourt.
If the Lakers offer Reaves a similar deal to what the Nets offer, it’s hard to imagine he leaves a successful winning franchise for Brooklyn. If he does, then clearly all that mattered was the dollar amount, and Reaves has always cared about winning.
It’s also important to remember that this is part of all contract negotiations. Reaves has made it clear that he wants to be a Laker and LA loves him. Both sides should be able to work out a deal that gives Reaves a nice payday and allows the Lakers to build a winner.
Still, other teams can and likely will make offers, so this doesn’t seem like a scenario where the Lakers can low-ball Reaves. Los Angeles is a great place to be, but $178.5 million dollars goes a long way in Brooklyn or elsewhere.
So, expect other teams to make a call to Reaves and for us to hear about it once free agency officially begins.
You can follow Edwin on Twitter at @ECreates88 or on Bluesky at @ecreates88.bsky.social.
