The Los Angeles Lakers are planning on spending a significant chunk of their cap space this summer on signing Austin Reaves to a max contract. The question remains, how much money exactly will Reaves make on his new deal?
While an ultra team-friendly "bargain" deal for Reaves would be exactly what the Lakers need amidst a complicated offseason, don't expect that to happen. This is Reaves' biggest chance to cash in on his NBA fortune, and he's fully expected to demand (and deserve, market-wise), a deal that is right up against the max figure, or just below it.
No, Reaves did not damage his value by playing injured during the postseason. AR is still very much a hot commodity, and it's not outrageous to suggest that cap-space teams like the Chicago Bulls, Brooklyn Nets, and even the Detroit Pistons might make a play at Reaves. In any case, these teams could certainly be used as leverage by Reaves' representation during upcoming negotiations with the Lakers' brass.
Lakers can look to drive down total figure of Austin Reaves' five-year deal
Because the Lakers have Reaves' Bird Rights, they can offer him a deal of five years, $241 million, whereas any other suitor would be limited to a four-year offer in the $177-$180 million range.
But do the Lakers really need to push all the way to that $241 million figure to secure Reaves' services? The Athletic's Sam Vecenie doesn't think so, a point he fleshed out during a recent episode of his Game Theory podcast.
"Austin Reaves' max contract is five years, $241 million," Vecenie said. "I don't know that the number has to be quite that high. If somebody else goes out to sign him, the number I think is like ... four years, $180 million. ... To me, there just has to be like a middle ground on a five-year contract ... can we just do like five years, $200 [million]?"
A $40 million per year deal would be slightly lower average annual value than a team with cap space like the Bulls or Nets could give Reaves. Other teams could execute sign-and-trade situations for Reaves, too, as pointed out by Vecenie.
Rob Pelinka can't afford to pay Austin Reaves a fully maxed-out deal
If Reaves was operating with maximum yearly profit as the sole deciding factor in his free agency decision, the Lakers might be in a tough position to retain him. But Reaves likely wants to stay with the organization where he has been developed and found significant success. He has a good working relationship with Luka Doncic and head coach JJ Redick, and by going elsewhere, he might not fit in as seamlessly.
These could be leverage tactics for Pelinka to wield, as the Lakers GM must lower Reaves' figure a bit to give the Lakers some breathing room for other moves this summer. A longer deal for Reaves represents more security, and this could be the selling point on a lower yearly salary.
How far below $241 million would Pelinka be able to push it? That depends on how Reaves' agent does business. Vecenie's number ($200 million) might be too low, even if Reaves has little desire to play elsewhere.
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