This offseason, the Los Angeles Lakers secured deals for players like DeAndre Ayton, Marcus Smart, and Jake LaRavia. But with fan favorite Austin Reaves, that wasn’t the case.
Reaves turned down a four-year, $89.2 million contract from the Lakers. It wasn’t a tough decision, as he can make more next summer if he declines his player option. Reports now suggest Reaves is seeking a contract worth around $30 million per year.
While it’s a smart business move for Reaves, it leaves the Lakers in a difficult spot. He’s been a major piece for them, but $30 million per year demands careful thought for a player with defensive question marks and a skillset that overlaps with Luka. Seven-time NBA champion Robert Horry believes the Lakers should look at a sign-and-trade for Reaves instead.
If the Lakers were smart, they would do a sign and trade. And the reason I say that is because when you have a team with two players who are pretty much the same, meaning Luka and AR, and I’m not saying they have the same skill set. They play the same position, they pretty much do the same thing. It’s a wash. And don’t get me wrong, I love AR and I think he could play, but you don’t need two of the same players. You think about the NBA is all about a fit. You look at all the great teams, they all have something different. There’s no two no Jokers. There’s no two Giannises, no two Shai Gilgeouses.
