The Los Angeles Lakers are reportedly all-in on retaining standout forward LeBron James, as ESPN’s Brian Windhorst recently stated both sides have already begun negotiating a new deal. Even if the 41-year-old 22-time All-Star returns to Los Angeles for another season, the Lakers’ offseason job will be far from finished.
The 17-time NBA champions would love nothing more than to keep breakout star Austin Reaves in the fold, but it will be far from a walk in the park. Assuming the Lakers do re-sign the undrafted 28-year-old guard, Bleacher Report’s Eric Pincus discussed the idea of the storied Western Conference using Reaves’ new deal in a blockbuster sign-and-trade with the Utah Jazz. “With the bulk of the roster hitting free agency, Reaves is one of the best available players on the market, at No. 2 in B/R’s Rankingof the top 70 potential free agents,” Pincus wrote last Saturday.
“Reaves will opt out of his final year at $14.9 million to lock in as large a deal as he can. Before injuries, Reaves was playing at an All-Star pace for the Lakers. He’s a talented scorer and playmaker who could earn as much as the $41.3 million projected max this July.”
“Per The Athletic’s Dan Woike, ‘Multiple front-office sources around the league… expect Reaves to have interest from the Brooklyn Nets, with a four-year, $178.5 million contract expected to be offered’. If so, the Lakers may choose not to go so high, letting him leave in free agency.”
“Or the team can match or even exceed it, perhaps offering a lower annual number but a five-year deal starting at $35 million, for a total of $203 million. Other suitors could get to cap room or try to entice the Lakers into a sign-and-trade, like the Detroit Pistons, Atlanta Hawks, or Utah Jazz.”
Acquiring would unquestionably move the Jazz closer to playoff contention. Despite the Oklahoma product’s recent playoff struggles, he’s on the right track through five seasons, proving his worth as a contract-inviting shot maker who’s adept at getting to the foul line, flourishing in the mid-range, and finding unorthodox ways to convert around the rim.
Reaves averaged 23.3 points, 5.5 assists, and 4.7 rebounds per game this season alongside James and Luka Doncic, shooting 49.0% from the field and 36.0% from three. It’s unclear if the Jazz will take Pincus’ suggestion to heart, but it’s a concept that should intrigue them at the very least.
