Austin Reaves has been a recognized commodity to Los Angeles Lakers followers for greater than a 12 months, however the remainder of the NBA world found him this previous season.
When L.A. wanted him most within the postseason, the 24-year-old constantly stepped up. All through the playoffs he averaged 16.9 factors, 4.6 assists and 4.4 rebounds. Furthermore, he shot 44.3 p.c from past the arc.
Towards the Denver Nuggets within the Western Convention Finals, particularly, Reaves averaged 21.3 factors, 5.3 assists and three.5 rebounds per recreation. A variety of occasions he regarded just like the Lakers’ second-best participant on the court docket.
Whereas D’Angelo Russell shrunk below the highlight of the postseason, a lot to LeBron James’ chagrin, Reaves stepped as much as the event. There’s a motive he and his girlfriend grew to become worldwide stars by means of the 2023 NBA playoffs.
The draw back for Los Angeles in the case of Reaves’ newfound reputation is that he’s a restricted free agent this summer season. Meaning one other squad can try and pry him away.
In accordance with Greg Swartz of Bleacher Report, three groups are seen as professional contenders to steal Reaves away from L.A.
“This supply might come from numerous younger groups with cap house that want a do-it-all combo guard, a listing that features the Houston Rockets, Orlando Magic and San Antonio Spurs,” he wrote.
This isn’t the primary time Reaves has been linked to those groups. In accordance with Kelly Iko of The Athletic, Houston does have very actual curiosity in bringing Reaves onboard. Orlando, equally, has been on the lookout for somebody along with his skillset because the Jordan Poole rumors of final summer season.
That mentioned, Swartz’s expectation is that when every thing is claimed and completed Reaves will stay in purple and gold. His prediction is that “Reaves indicators a suggestion sheet above $50 million with one other group, one the Lakers will match.”
And he isn’t the one one to consider that Reaves is staying put.
In accordance with NBA insider Marc Stein, L.A. is “decided” to retain each Reaves and Rui Hachimura.
Additionally working in Los Angeles’ favor is that Reaves genuinely does appear to need to keep.
“I wanna be right here,” Reaves mentioned in his exit interview.
“This seems like house to me in a way. Clearly this can be a lot completely different than my precise house. It’s somewhat greater, much more folks, worse visitors. However I informed anyone a pair months in the past that it seems like a house for me mainly.
There’s a brand new Olivia Dunne and he or she’s giving the outdated Olivia Dunne a run for her cash. https://t.co/ckhgjKTU3N
— Sport 7 (@game7__) May 25, 2023
“The best way the followers assist me, the gamers, teaching workers, entrance workplace. That is undoubtedly someplace I wanna be, however we’ll see what occurs.”
Will the Lakers in the end have the ability to retain Reaves this summer season? A solution come what may will emerge quickly sufficient.
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