The Los Angeles Lakers know Austin Reaves will decline his player option to become an unrestricted free agent, but fans shouldn't worry about him leaving. Luka Doncic wants Reaves to return (subscription required). The two stars have developed a bromance since the stunning trade, and that is enough to keep AR in Los Angeles.
Doncic has a say in the team’s personnel decisions. He helped the Lakers land Marcus Smart and Deandre Ayton last summer. Rob Pelinka is already talking to his superstar about this year’s moves. Doncic had success playing with Jalen Brunson and Kyrie Irving in Dallas. He wants a co-star to handle the ball and make plays. Reaves is that option for the purple and gold.
Reaves wants to get paid this offseason. He has made $41.4 million in his first five NBA seasons combined and could get $41 million next season. The 6’5 guard’s star breakout has earned him a significant pay increase. Rumors suggest he wants the max, but it doesn’t matter. The Lakers will make it happen because that is what Luka wants.
Luka Doncic will make sure Austin Reaves is back with the Lakers
The purple and gold cater to their star players. LeBron James had that say for years. It was Kobe Bryant before him. Luka took over the power the moment the Lakers traded for him. Doncic wanted Los Angeles to trade for Mark Williams, despite it being rescinded, and has already convinced multiple free agents to join him.
That power will keep his closest teammate on the Lakers. Doncic and Reaves are always joking with each other. Fans quickly fell in love with their close relationship, and Luka knows AR is still getting better. Reaves put up All-Star numbers last season, but the injuries prevented him from earning the honor. The 28-year-old still has room to grow.
The Lakers can’t afford to let a future All-Star go with zero return. Reaves will be an unrestricted free agent after declining his player option. It would be bad business to let him walk. AR wants to be in Los Angeles, and Doncic wants him locked in as his co-star for years to come. That is all fans need to know. The Lakers will make it happen beyond that.
Ideally, Reaves would take a bit of a discount to improve the roster around him. The 29 other teams can only offer him a four-year deal worth $177.4 million. Los Angeles would love to work out a five-year deal worth $200 million. Reaves has earned $40 million per year, and the Lakers would have a bit of extra room to add talent.
It will be a busy summer. The Lakers have to sort out the futures of LeBron James, Marcus Smart, Rui Hachimura, Luke Kennard, Deandre Ayton, and Jaxson Hayes. They want to upgrade their roster after getting swept in the second round of the playoffs. Pelinka has several difficult decisions to make.
The Los Angeles Lakers will bring back Austin Reaves because that is what Luka Doncic wants. Number 77 has influence over personnel decisions, and all sides want to agree to a long-term contract. Luka and AR are the Lakers' co-stars moving forward. Pelinka has to get a new deal done with Reaves, so he can get to work building out the roster around them.
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