This offseason, the Los Angeles Lakers have a lot of decisions to make. Plenty of key players are free agents, including LeBron James. After being swept in the second round of the playoffs by the Thunder, they need to improve the roster.
While James becoming a free agent is a big deal, he is not LA’s top priority. Re-signing Austin Reaves is the biggest problem they need to resolve. Reaves is eligible for a max extension worth $239 million over four years. That would be $41.3 million per year.
The Lakers would love for him to take less so that they can build the roster around him. Reaves has now been given a bold prediction regarding his contract.
GettyLos Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves drives the ball. (Photo by Joshua Gateley/Getty Images)
Austin Reaves Predicted to Take Less Than the Max from the Lakers
Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report gives a bold prediction that Reaves will take less than the max from Los Angeles. He predicts that Reaves will sign a deal at $156.8 million over four years, starting at $35 million. That would give LA some flexibility to sign other players.
Reaves is coming off the best season of his career. He averaged 23.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 5.5 assists per game. He also played the fewest games he’s ever played, only appearing in 51. Reaves also missed some postseason games because of an injury, as well.
Those injuries could help LA when it comes to negotiations. Reaves will likely want the max, but perhaps those injuries would allow the Lakers to sign him for a little less. That would allow them some money to either bring back James or some of their other free agents.
Of course, Reaves could receive a higher number from another team if they try to offer him less than the max. That would likely force the Lakers to increase their offer, as they can’t afford to lose him. Luka Doncic made it clear that he wants Reaves starting next to him.
GettyLos Angeles Lakers center Deandre Ayton dribbles the ball in a game. (Photo by Joshua Gateley/Getty Images)
Los Angeles Needs to Improve the Frontcourt
Once they re-sign Reaves, improving the frontcourt is the top priority for the Lakers. It was clear that it was the weakest part of the roster all season long. Particularly, the experiment with Deandre Ayton did not work. Finding a new center would increase their title chances.
Re-signing Reaves to a number less than the max would give them an opportunity to pursue a center in free agency who can take over for Ayton. They could also pursue a sign-and-trade for a center, which is a viable option with the amount of cap space they will have.
Reaves and Doncic are clearly the future of the franchise. It wouldn’t be surprising to see James finish his career with another organization because of the way they want to build around those two guards. Doncic is the player who can take them to new heights if he can stay healthy.
Austin Reaves Receives Bold Prediction in Contract Negotiations with the Lakers