Latest news with #Reaves'
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Lakers Could Trade Austin Reaves If He Opts Out Seeking $200M Deal
As the Los Angeles Lakers gear up for another pivotal offseason, one of the biggest question marks surrounds the future of guard Austin Reaves. Once considered one of the franchise's most promising young players, Reaves is now a candidate to be moved if contract negotiations don't align with the team's long-term vision. Reaves, who posted a career year with 20.2 points, 5.8 assists, and 4.5 rebounds on 46% shooting from the field and 37.7% from three, is eligible for a significant raise. Under the current CBA, the Lakers can offer him a four-year extension worth $89.2 million. Advertisement However, reports suggest Reaves is expected to opt out of his $53 million deal after next season and could seek a max-level extension in the $180–200 million range, which would pay him upwards of $42 million annually. For a player who struggled in the postseason, averaging just 16.2 points on 41.1% shooting, those are eye-popping numbers. And it may be too much for the Lakers' front office to stomach, especially after a first-round exit where Reaves' limitations were exposed by a tougher, more physical Timberwolves team. Rob Pelinka and the Lakers brass now face a critical decision: lock in Reaves at a premium rate despite playoff inconsistencies, or cash in on his rising value via trade while they still can. Reaves is not untouchable, far from it. According to Sports Illustrated's Ricardo Sandoval, 'If former Lakers star big man Anthony Davis is not untouchable, then Reaves falls into that same category — for the right price, of course." Advertisement The Lakers are known to be in the market for a major frontcourt upgrade or a third star to flank LeBron James and Luka Doncic, and including Reaves in a trade package could help match salaries while giving another team a plug-and-play scorer with youth and upside. The irony in Reaves' situation is that he's earned this moment. Undrafted out of Oklahoma, he worked his way from two-way hopeful to playoff starter and Team USA contributor. His fiery, fearless style won over Lakers fans, and even more importantly, LeBron James. But the postseason is a harsh evaluator, and in this league, value is measured in May, not March. If Reaves pushes for a deal nearing $200 million, as some insiders believe he might, the Lakers may be forced to explore sign-and-trade scenarios to recoup assets rather than risk losing him for nothing. The ideal return would include size, defense, and playoff toughness, traits L.A. sorely lacked against Minnesota. Advertisement Nothing is set in stone yet, but the writing may be on the wall. Unless Reaves and the Lakers can agree on a more modest extension, the relationship could be headed for an offseason split. And while fans may not want to hear it, sometimes moving on is what championship-chasing franchises have to do. Reaves was a revelation. But with luxury tax implications, roster needs, and postseason disappointments on the table, the Lakers could decide that the next chapter doesn't include him. Related: Joel Embiid To Lakers Can Happen Without Trading Austin Reaves, Says Bill Simmons
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
NBA playoffs 2025, seeds, standings, matchups: Can Austin Reaves help take the Lakers to another level?
(This article was written with the assistance of Castmagic, an AI tool, and reviewed by our editorial team to ensure accuracy. Please reach out to us if you notice any mistakes.) Austin Reaves has been a revelation for the Lakers, making significant strides toward stardom. The fourth-year player has earned the support of none other than LeBron James, who seemed to see the hidden prowess before anyone else. Reaves' recent performances, averaging 27 points over his last six games, suggest he could be the next big deal in L.A. But can Reaves sustain this All-Star trajectory? [Yahoo Fantasy Bracket Mayhem is back: Enter for a shot to win up to $50K] Undrafted and underrated, Reaves was given the NBA equivalent of a golden ticket when he landed on LeBron's radar. On "The Kevin O'Connor Show" Tom Haberstroh pointed out, 'This wasn't a thing a year and a half ago.' Yet, now it's impossible not to notice when Reaves takes the court. His recent stats tell the story, adding 5.6 assists and 5.1 rebounds on impressive shooting percentages since James went down with a groin injury. Reaves' combination of timely drives, sharpshooting and clutch playmaking is reminiscent of Khris Middleton's rise to a cornerstone of the championship Milwaukee Bucks in 2021. [You could win $25K in the Women's Bracket Mayhem contest. Enter now!] But why has Reaves been so successful? The answer might lie in his role within the Lakers' system. Reaves has seamlessly served as a connector and filled the gaps in the offense. With James delegating more to both Reaves and Luka Dončić when healthy, the pressure of elevating the team doesn't rest completely on James' shoulders. Kevin O'Connor likened Reaves' impact to that of Manu Ginóbili on the Spurs' dynasty, emphasizing Reaves' ability to shift momentum and earn critical free throws, much like the Spurs' legend. The Lakers find themselves in a solid position at 43-25, good for third in the Western Conference, but Reaves' ascent couldn't have been more timely. LeBron's eventual return will further cement this dynamic, possibly creating one of the most versatile offensive teams in the league. O'Connor noted LeBron might even lean into a more distributive role, 'deferring even more to not only Luka but also Austin Reaves.' Considering Reaves' proficiency and fearlessness, this could be exactly the energy the Lakers need to push their championship aspirations further. To hear the full discussion, tune into "The Kevin O'Connor Show" on Apple, Spotify or YouTube.
