Austin Reaves thought about signing with the Houston Rockets or San Antonio Spurs before re-signing with the Los Angeles Lakers. The rising star talked about his restricted free agency with former NBA players Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson on the “All The Smoke” podcast.
“I really wanted to be in LA the whole time,” Reaves said. “There was a couple situations that were close, but like I said, I really wanted to be in LA. It feels like home to me. So that’s really where I wanted to be. … Houston, before Fred VanVleet signed there, and San Antonio (were options).”
Reaves re-signed with the Lakers on a four-year, $56.3 million contract in restricted free agency. The guard 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 Reaves took his game to another level in the 2023 postseason, 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, San Antonio Spurs, Houston Rockets Updates
An anonymous member of the Lakers told Keith Smith of Spotrac that re-signing Reaves was the team’s “top priority.”
“Getting Austin Reaves signed was our top priority,” the anonymous Lakers member said. “Was there a worry we’d have to match an offer sheet? Absolutely. He’s a good player and he could fit on any team. But we were prepared to match any kind of offers Austin got. We weren’t going to lose him over money.”
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 but improved their roster this summer. General manager Rob Pelinka added Gabe Vincent, Taurean Prince, Cam Reddish and Jaxson Hayes in free agency.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Austin Reaves, Los Angeles Lakers, San Antonio Spurs, Houston Rockets Updates
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 the Lakers are going to put the ball in his hands more often next season.
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