If 10-time All-Star James Harden doesn’t come back to the Houston Rockets this offseason, the franchise will pursue Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves, according to NBA insider Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.
Reaves becomes a restricted free agent this offseason.
“Should Harden not come to Houston, the Rockets are expected to have interest in Lakers restricted free agent Austin Reaves, I’m told,” Scotto said.
As a restricted free agent, Reaves can either re-sign with the Lakers or sign an offer sheet with another team. Los Angeles can match any offer sheet Reaves signs as long as it comes within 48 hours.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Austin Reaves, Los Angeles Lakers & Houston Rockets Updates
Reaves averaged 13.0 points, 3.0 rebounds and 3.4 assists during the regular season and 16.9 points, 4.4 rebounds and 4.6 assists in the 2023 playoffs. The Lakers got swept by the Denver Nuggets in the Western Conference Finals.
Jovan Buha of The Athletic, who covers the Lakers, told Scotto that he believes Los Angeles will match any offer sheet that Reaves signs worth up to $100 million.
“The Lakers are going to match any contract offer sheet that he signs up to that $100 million,” Buha told Scotto. “The Lakers view him as the third-best player on this team if you look at the regular season and postseason he had.”
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Austin Reaves, Los Angeles Lakers & Houston Rockets Updates
The Lakers are motivated to avoid a similar situation as to what happened with Alex Caruso’s recent free agency departure to the Chicago Bulls. Los Angeles wasn’t willing to pay the price necessary to get it done with Caruso, but want to avoid that happening with Reaves.
“I think the Lakers are going to retain him. Obviously, their preference would be to sign him to the four-year, $54 million deal,” Buha wrote. “I’ve heard that there are going to be multiple suitors out there in talking with people around the league. … He’s priority No. 1 for the Lakers this offseason. I think they learned from the Alex Caruso situation.”
“Frankly, I think this would be a bigger disaster than Caruso because Reaves is a better player, and he’s shown more,” Buha explained. “You mentioned $80 million, and $80-85 million is where teams think the Lakers might have to think about it and maybe call their bluff. Again, from what I’ve heard from the Lakers’ side, they’re matching all the way up to $100 million.”
Reaves has career averages of 10.2 points, 3.1 boards and 2.6 assists.
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