The San Antonio Spurs thought about signing Austin Reaves to an offer sheet in restricted free agency, according to NBA insider Zach Lowe of ESPN.
The Spurs wound up not pursuing Reaves, who re-signed with the Los Angeles Lakers on a four-year, $56.3 million contract.
“I think the Reaves contract has the chance to be one of the best contracts in the league from a team perspective,” Lowe said on his podcast. “The Lakers got very, very lucky that nobody made them pay through the nose. And I know San Antonio was going back and forth on it. And just for whatever reason didn’t do it. And that’s a steal.”
Reaves, who is an undrafted player, averaged 13.0 points, 3.0 rebounds and 3.4 assists last season while shooting 52.9% from the field, 39.8% from beyond the arc and 86.4% from the free-throw line. The 25-year-old Arkansas native 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 & TRADE RUMORS: Austin Reaves, San Antonio Spurs & Los Angeles Lakers Updates
The Lakers are expected to start D’Angelo Russell, Reaves, Rui Hachimura, LeBron James and Anthony Davis next season. The purple and gold got swept by the Nuggets in the 2023 conference finals. General manager Rob Pelinka added Gabe Vincent, Taurean Prince, Cam Reddish and Jaxson Hayes in free agency.
Reaves has career averages of 10.2 points and 2.6 assists with the Lakers. He developed a good rapport with James and Davis last season and it sounds like the Lakers are going to put the ball in his hands more often next season.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Austin Reaves, San Antonio Spurs & Los Angeles Lakers Updates
According to Jovan Buha of The Athletic, Los Angeles plans on running more of its offense through Reaves moving forward.
“The Lakers plan on running more of their offense through Reaves next season, unlocking the point guard skills he’s flashed through his first two years in the league, according to team sources not authorized to speak publicly,” Buha wrote.
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