After LeBron James, the longest tenured member of the Los Angeles Lakers roster is Austin Reaves, who has been with the franchise for five seasons. Reaves began his Lakers tenure as an undrafted player on a two-way contract, but has developed into a borderline All-Star in his time with the franchise.
Reaves is now in line for a major pay day this summer as he is expected to opt-out of his contract and hit free agency. But if both he and the Lakers have their way, he will be continuing his journey with the Lakers.
“Austin Reaves started his NBA odyssey with the Lakers on that court right over there,” general manager Rob Pelinka said during his annual end-of-season press conference. “I remember it was a Draft workout, in fact I was talking to Austin [Monday] night, he was having a pregame meal, and we were talking about how drained and exhausted he was by the Draft workout process and somehow he mustered up strength to have a great Lakers workout. I remember actually being here with my son watching that, which was one of the turning points of getting him here. Just that workout and how he approached it.
“He started his journey here as a Laker and has made it very clear to us that he wants his journey to continue as a Laker. And we feel the same way. We want his odyssey to continue to unfold in the purple and gold. As you know, there’s rules and timing to all of that, but I think both sides have made it abundantly clear we that want to work something out where he continues his prolific career here.”
Injuries hampered Reaves this season, but he still put forth his best effort of his career, averaging 23.3 points, 4.7 rebounds and 5.5 assists while shooting 49% from the field and 36% from 3-point range. He grew into a secondary creator role alongside Luka Doncic with the duo forming the highest-scoring tandem in the NBA this season, and Reaves also had many moments where he carried the Lakers as the top option when others weren’t available.
Reaves has spoken in the past about his desire to remain with the Lakers and the franchise clearly agrees, so it sounds as if it will simply be a matter of the two sides coming together and figuring out the right number to bring him back to the purple and gold for a long time.
Reaves max contract would be five years and $241 million, although there’s no indication he is looking for every last dollar on his new deal.
Austin Reaves taking things day-by-day ahead of free agency
After the Lakers’ season came to an end, Reaves discussed his upcoming free agency and how much he has thought about it.
“I’m gonna be honest. Like I said, I’ve been around for five years. Y’all, I would say know me pretty well… But I don’t think about much. I take life day-by-day, and I’m just blessed to have an opportunity to play for this organization,” Reaves said.
“I play a kid’s game; I make good money. Like I said, I don’t think about what I’m really gonna do in the future. I’m just day-by-day.”
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