Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves becomes a restricted free agent this summer and the rising NBA star wants to stay in LA.
During his exit interview with reporters on May 23, Reaves said he would like to re-sign with the Lakers.
As a restricted free agent, Reaves can either re-sign with the Lakers or sign an offer sheet with a rival team. Los Angeles can match any offer sheet Reaves signs as long as it comes within 48 hours.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Austin Reaves & Los Angeles Lakers Updates
Reaves and swingman Rui Hachimura become restricted free agents this offseason. According to Jovan Buha of The Athletic, the Lakers intend to bring both players back.
“Reaves and Hachimura are restricted free agents, meaning the Lakers can match any offer sheet either player signs,” Buha wrote. “The Lakers intend to retain both this summer, even if it means matching their respective max offer sheets, according to multiple team sources who were granted anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly.”
Reaves averaged 13.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 3.4 assists during the regular season in 64 games. The 24-year-old took his game to another level in the playoffs, averaging 16.9 points, 4.4 rebounds and 4.6 assists in 16 games versus the Memphis Grizzlies, Golden State Warriors, and Denver Nuggets.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Austin Reaves & Los Angeles Lakers Updates
Back in April, Reaves told Shams Charania of Stadium that he wants to stay with the Lakers his entire career. The Oklahoma product grew up a huge Kobe Bryant fan.
“Yeah I wanna be a Laker,” Reaves told Charania. “Obviously, they gave me the first opportunity. I was a huge Laker fan growing up. Big Kobe fan. So honestly, just to be able to play for the Lakers organization is special and I wanna be a Laker. So hopefully we can get this done and I can stay there for hopefully my whole career.”
If LeBron James doesn’t retire, the four-time MVP wants to see Reaves back next season, sources told NBA Analysis Network.
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