The Los Angeles Lakers are likely going to have to pay Austin Reaves over $40 million on his next contract, which could quickly turn into a disaster scenario for the organization. Reaves is a great player and a key part of the Lakers’ offense, but paying him $40 million will significantly impact the team’s ability to build around Luka Doncic. Tim Bontemps discussed the potential issue on The Hoop Collective podcast:
“Look, he’s going to be 28 years old, but he’s a big guard, he’s 6’5”. He could potentially be the lead guard in your offense for you,” Bontemps said. “There are people that are big fans of Austin. That being said, if you look around the league, combo guards who are one-position defenders, which I would say Austin Reaves is one.
“He’s a shooting guard. He’s like Tyler Herro, he’s like Anfernee Simons, he’s like a lot of these guys who are very talented players who, there has not been a great market for in terms of asset return in trades, and they’re probably the most replaceable player type in the league. So, is he good enough to be the Jalen Brunson or the Kyrie Irving long-term?
Is Austin Reaves worth that money?
Probably not. Again, Reaves is an extremely talented offensive player. He’s a reliable three-point threat who is also capable of creating his own shot. But Bontemps makes some great points.
Take a quick look around the league at the Anfernee Simons’ of the world. Collin Sexton got traded for Jusuf Nurkic. The Boston Celtics haven’t been able to find a trade for Simons. Jordan Clarkson signed for a minimum contract. Those types of players just aren’t that valuable.
Reaves is better than all three of those guys. But is he better enough to warrant a $40 million contract extension? Almost certainly not.
In order for Doncic to lead the Lakers to a championship, they need to work hard to put the best-possible group around him. Having a guy like Reaves is essential, but paying him like a Kyrie Irving probably isn’t worth it.
They also need to worry about adding elite defenders, a rim-running big man, and other high-quality role players capable of knocking down three-point shots. Paying Reaves $40 million a season could hurt their ability to do so.
At the end of the day, the Lakers will probably do whatever it takes to keep Reaves in town as Doncic’s right-hand man, but it could lead to some very uncomfortable conversations down the line.