The Los Angeles Lakers should be concerned that Austin Reaves departs in free agency for a chance to be the number one option elsewhere, like Jalen Brunson did to Luka Doncic in 2022. It is an eerily similar situation. The Mavericks' maximum extension was limited because Brunson was on a cheap contract. Dallas offered it, but it was too late. JB had already outplayed the number, and he bolted to become the Knicks number one option in free agency.
Reaves has a player option, but everyone knows he will decline it. That will make him an unrestricted free agent. Reaves will be free to sign with any team. The Bulls and Nets are projected to have cap space, but other franchises will create it if they can steal the 6’5 wing away from Los Angeles.
Reaves wants to stay with the Lakers, but there should be panic until the contract is signed. The 27-year-old is in the middle of his prime and coming off a career year. Every team will be interested, and the Lakers must upgrade their roster. LA would love to get Reaves on a discount, but asking for one may just be what has him exploring the open market.
The Lakers should be terrified Austin Reaves leaves Luka Doncic this summer
Luka and Brunson were close friends in Dallas. It may not have reached the Bromance levels Doncic has with Reaves, but they were drafted in the same year and played the same position. Brunson helped Luka become a superstar, and the duo lifted the Mavericks from rebuilding to the conference finals. It was a special bond, but Brunson couldn’t pass up a massive raise to lead the Knicks.
JB knew he was always going to be the number two behind Luka. Reaves is in the exact same spot. Doncic has a say over personnel decisions and is the face of the franchise. He just finished fourth in MVP voting and is one of the best players on the planet. AR is the co-star in Los Angeles, but he could be the alpha in Chicago, Brooklyn, and several other cities.
The Mavs didn’t think they would lose Brunson when the 2022 season ended. They had just reached the conference finals and were clearly a team on the rise. Dallas was finally putting the shooting and defense necessary to win it all around Luka. JB was supposed to be the co-star Doncic needed until the current Knicks star hit the market. New York quickly swayed him and the partnership in Dallas ended.
Will Luka’s history repeat itself? The Lakers should be concerned. It is not like they can match the offer on Reaves. If AR wants to leave or thinks he has a better deal elsewhere, he will be gone. Los Angeles can’t do anything about that. Jalen Brunson did it to Doncic four years ago, and Reaves may just be next.
The Los Angeles Lakers must get Austin Reaves locked into a long-term contract this summer. He is their co-star next to Luka Doncic for years to come. They can’t let him become the alpha in another city.
AR holds the cards, but it is on the Lakers to keep him. Doncic has seen this before, so leaning on his advice is important. Fans should be terrified until Reaves is signed. Hopefully, this one is much different than the Brunson situation. If not, LA has no shot at title contention next season. All fans can do is stay tuned to see how it all plays out.
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