The Los Angeles Lakers likely lose Luke Kennard after just 42 games if Austin Reaves gets the max contract he's rumored to desire in free agency. AR’s salary would jump from just under $14 million to over $41 million. The Lakers would owe $90.8 million to their two stars and have $125.9 million committed to eight players, assuming Deandre Ayton opts in. They would still have difficult decisions to make on the futures of LeBron James, Rui Hachimura, Marcus Smart, Jaxson Hayes, and Kennard. All of that likely push Kennard out the door in free agency.
Los Angeles gave up their only tradeable second-round draft pick until 2033 to land Kennard at the deadline. They were eager to move on from Gabe Vincent and to get a sharpshooter. Kennard shot 44.8 percent from 3-point range over 32 regular-season games with the Lakers and hit 47.4 percent in the playoffs. There were postseason problems on full display, and LA can’t afford to give away assets for half a season of production if they want to build a sustainable title contender around Luka.
The Lakers need a center upgrade, a point of attack defender, and are searching for 3-and-D wings. They can’t give Reaves a max contract, improve their roster, and re-sign Kennard. If AR is getting $241 million, the purple and gold will have to make sacrifices elsewhere.
Luke Kennard trade gets worse for Lakers if Austin Reaves lands a max contract
Keeping Reaves is the Lakers’ top priority. Luka wants AR to be his co-star for years to come. Rival teams can only sign him for four years, but expect some team to offer him a max contract. Reaves averaged 23.3 points, 5.5 assists, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.1 steals this season. He shot 49.0 percent from the field, 36.0 percent on his 3-point attempts, and 87.1 percent on his free throws. Those are All-Star numbers, and fans know top-end talent wins in the NBA.
The decision on bringing back Kennard is difficult for the Lakers. The 6’5 wing struggles on defense, and LA had a negative-3.8 net rating with him on the floor in the playoffs. If the goal is to compete for championships, the Lakers can’t consistently lose a key role player's minutes in the most important games.
Kennard made $11 million last season and is one of the best shooters in the NBA. Fans expecting him to take a massive pay cut are mistaken. Some team will offer the sharpshooter significant money, but it won’t be the Lakers if Reaves is on a max contract.
Nothing is for certain right now. Los Angeles will exceed the $165 million salary cap to re-sign Austin Reaves, but they don’t want to be over the second apron threshold of $222 million. Upgrading over Ayton and getting a strong 3-and-D wing likely costs the Lakers $40-plus million combined. That alone would push them over the cap with ten players. It is all about spending wisely.
The Los Angeles Lakers are expected to keep Austin Reaves, and the latest rumors suggest it will take a max contract to make that a reality. That will hamper their spending elsewhere and likely forces Luke Kennard to find a new home in free agency. Not great asset management by the purple and gold, but at least the trade only cost them one second-round draft pick.
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