After Austin Reaves posted a career-high 35 points in a win over the Orlando Magic, the Los Angeles Lakers have intensified their interest in keeping the player beyond this season. According to the journalist The AthleticJovan Buha, Reaves also wants to prolong his relationship with the Los Angeles franchise.
Because Reaves signed a two-year deal with the Lakers when he closed his first standard NBA contract in 2021, he won’t be eligible to complete an extension before entering restricted free agency this summer. In addition, the Lakers will only own their rights Early Bird at that moment.
As Buha points out, that means Los Angeles management will be limited to offering a four-year deal and up to about $51 million if they deal with him directly. Not so long ago, the Lakers could easily assume their continuity but their value has skyrocketed in recent weeks. According to journalist Shams Charania, the current market for the 24-year-old could be in the range of four years and 50 million. Or even more.
Reaves will also have the possibility of accepting an offer from another team that exceeds the Lakers’ maximum limit, that is, those 51 million. However, the Gilbert Arenas Provision (all information here) would apply to such an offer, which means that the amount received would be much less during the first two years, including a substantial increase in the third. However, the Lakers could match this offer without any fear, in this case, of exceeding 51 million, coming from a proposal from another team.
Reaves’ performance down the stretch of the course will help determine the ultimate development of his free agency. The former student of the University of Oklahoma has starred in a notable qualitative leap since the All-Star that has led him to average 17.0 points and 5.0 assists, with a 40.3% success rate in three-pointers, since then.
(Cover photo by Ian Maule/Getty Images)
