Austin Reeves is entering the final season of his La Lakers contract with one goal in mind.
Austin Reeves could go down as one of the best undrafted players in NBA history. After not hearing his name be called on draft night, Reaves signed a contract with the LA Lakers.
As soon as they arrived, the Raves won the Lakers LeBron James’ trust.
Since then, the Reaves have become the Lakers’ third option and one of the best in the entire NBA.
However, it appears he’s about to join a free agency, so Reaves is about to get a $30 million salary. As far as his thinking is concerned, it should not come as a surprise.
La Lakers Insider Jovan Buha spoke with his team about Austin Reeves’ future. He believes Reaves will re-sign the team for $30 million.
Buha explained that Reeves wants to be with the Lakers for the rest of his life and win a contract that will allow him to do so.
“If you look at some of the people in that range, I think Austin is easily in that class, like Immanuel Quickley and Tyler Hero.
“Context and leverage are always factors here, so we look at what kind of season he has and what type of playoff performance he has.
“People around the league, whether it’s the Lakers or someone else, are penciling him to make $30 million this summer, and I think it’s going to be with the Lakers.
“I think that’s a wise move for LA. He wants to be a Laker for his life, someone who decided he’s been drafted and not drafted so he can sign the Lakers…
“Austin wants to be in Los Angeles, and I think that’s what happens. But I expect the next deal to be $120 million next summer.”
If the Lakers are willing to offer Reeves the $120 million deal he’s aiming for, it certainly spells out the end of Los Angeles’ LeBron James.
James accepted the $52.6 million player option. This means that he will become a free agent next season, unless the Lakers re-sign him before the deadline.
Once things get up, the Lakers are willing to let LeBron leave by his free agency. Perhaps letting go of LeBron is the way to hold Austin Reeves in the future.
In that case, it would be a very controversial decision as the Lakers would give up the best NBA player of all time for the third option with an All-Star ceiling.
The Reaves are great players, but the Lakers have to ask themselves whether keeping him worth losing anything LeBron James.