Austin Reaves is expected to re-sign with the Los Angeles Lakers this offseason, according to NBA insider Matt Moore.
Reaves becomes a restricted free agent on June 30.
“So this might become a waiting game as the Lakers try and starve out the offers to lower the price and Reaves’ representation tries to wait for a team to make a swing late (like the Pacers did for Deandre Ayton did for last year, though Reaves won’t command that type of money),” Moore wrote. “Either way, it would be a major shock to everyone I’ve spoken to if Reaves was not a Laker next season.”
Reaves averaged 13.0 points, 3.0 rebounds and 3.4 assists during the 2022-23 regular season in 64 games. The 24-year-old took his game to another level in the 2023 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 & RUMORS: Austin Reaves & Los Angeles Lakers Updates
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.
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.”
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Austin Reaves & Los Angeles Lakers Updates
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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