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The 3 most underpaid Lakers for next season

By Jason Reed

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - APRIL 04: Jarred Vanderbilt #2 of the Los Angeles Lakers in action during a game against the Utah Jazz at Vivint Arena on April 04, 2023 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - APRIL 04: Jarred Vanderbilt #2 of the Los Angeles Lakers in action during a game against the Utah Jazz at Vivint Arena on April 04, 2023 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images) /
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2. Austin Reaves — $12.015 million

One of the most underpaid players on the Los Angeles Lakers is someone who just got their big payday this offseason. It would seem like Reaves is making exactly how much he should since he was able to just negotiate a new deal but it is undeniable that the Lakers got an exceptional bargain.

Los Angeles re-signed Reaves as a restricted free agent to a four-year, $53.8 million contract that pays him just over $12 million next season. This was not even the most the Lakers could have offered Reaves and the team also could have paid double this if another team go involved.

The Lakers got lucky no other team signed Austin Reaves to an offer sheet.

It seemed like a no-brainer that a team like the San Antonio Spurs would sign Austin Reaves to an offer sheet of around $80-100 million simply to make life harder for the Lakers. This would have ballooned the cap hit in years three and four for the Lakers and if LA decided against it, the Spurs would have landed a solid, young role player.

For what he brings to the table, Reaves is worth somewhere around $17-20 million. He may not be a household name yet and his career is young but he proved once Westbrook left last season that he is the real deal.

Reaves is the third-best player on this Lakers team and his third season in the league is going to prove that. In a very short amount of time, it is going to be obvious to everyone involved that getting that kind of production at his price is an absolute steal.

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