A max contract is a lot of money, and yet, time and time again, that is what everyone keeps saying Austin Reaves will receive in the upcoming offseason. Michael Scotto was the latest NBA insider to add his findings on what comes next for the Los Angeles Lakers guard.
The expectation will be for Reaves to decline his $14.9 million player option and set himself up for a massive payday in free agency. The Lakers guard commanding a truck load of money is nothing new. That viewpoint aligned with what every other insider had been saying.
Scotto did add one interesting tidbit about how the Lakers could be their own worst enemy in the coming weeks. If Rob Pelinka and the front office get too cute with the money they are willing to spend on their soon-to-be free agent, Reaves could indeed start looking elsewhere for his bag.
"Ultimately, there’s a strong belief within league circles that if the Lakers offer Reaves close to or the full max, he’ll stay in Los Angeles. However, if the Lakers submit a low-ball offer, Reaves will consider other offers, and the possibility of a sign-and-trade could also emerge."
Lakers cannot present a low-ball offer to Austin Reaves
Think about the player in question here. Reaves has fought and clawed relentlessly to secure his spot in the NBA before proceeding to establish himself as a star in the league.
Dan Woike made a great point in his recent write-up on how much the 28-year-old was worth. Reaves' entire career has been defined by being undervalued, overlooked, and underestimated.
To that point, what kind of message would it send for the Lakers to be the next in line with their participation in that?
If Los Angeles are offering significantly less than what Reaves could command from rival organizations interested in his services, that would undeniably sting. Imagine feeling like the team that has employed you for the last five years does not rightfully appreciate you and recognize how far you have come over that time in your individual growth.
No one would blame Reaves if there was suddenly serious consideration of leaving after that perceived slight. The Lakers would quickly become the latest group or person that is adding to a career of needing to prove others wrong.
Without an obvious path to a notable upgrade for the second star behind Luka Doncic, Los Angeles needs Reaves to return. That will cost them a sizable portion of their cap. Even so, the alternative of having their talented offensive guard walk for nothing would be the bigger and more brutal blow.
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