Both Lakers and Austin Reaves interested in re-signing
Austin Reaves’ surge is setting him up for a fascinating offseason. He will be a restricted free agent this summer, and will undoubtedly have multiple suitors looking to pry him from the Lakers — especially after stat lines like Sunday’s. Both the Lakers and Reaves’ camp have interest in Reaves re-signing in Los Angeles, according to multiple league sources who were granted anonymity so that they coud speak freely. The max the Lakers can offer Reaves is a four-year, $50.8 million contract if they chose to use his Early Bird Rights, but they also have the power to match any contract he signs with another team.
Source: The Athletic
Source: The Athletic
What’s the buzz on Twitter?
Dave McMenamin @mcten
From last night: “Every time I take the court, play with a sense of urgency and leave it all out on the floor, because that’s how I feel basketball should be played,” said Austin Reaves after his career night lifted L.A. when it needed him most es.pn/3TwdjIJ – 2:20 PM
From last night: “Every time I take the court, play with a sense of urgency and leave it all out on the floor, because that’s how I feel basketball should be played,” said Austin Reaves after his career night lifted L.A. when it needed him most es.pn/3TwdjIJ – 2:20 PM
Kamenetzky Brothers @KamBrothers
Monday’s @LockedOnLakers podcast! We break down Sunday’s win over Orlando, including a heroic night for Austin Reaves and a so-so one for Anthony Davis. Plus, the latest on LeBron’s return. @LockedOnNetwork @LockedOnNBAPods
Subscribe. Rate. Enjoy. Thx!
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/aus… – 12:12 PM
Monday’s @LockedOnLakers podcast! We break down Sunday’s win over Orlando, including a heroic night for Austin Reaves and a so-so one for Anthony Davis. Plus, the latest on LeBron’s return. @LockedOnNetwork @LockedOnNBAPods
Subscribe. Rate. Enjoy. Thx!
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/aus… – 12:12 PM
Shams Charania @ShamsCharania
Breaking down the rise of Lakers guard Austin Reaves and what lies ahead in free agency – on Run It Back at @fandueltv: pic.twitter.com/DCUdQ8HuDK – 11:10 AM
Breaking down the rise of Lakers guard Austin Reaves and what lies ahead in free agency – on Run It Back at @fandueltv: pic.twitter.com/DCUdQ8HuDK – 11:10 AM
Sam Quinn @SamQuinnCBS
I wrote about Austin Reaves making a leap, the Gilbert Arenas provision, and the ghost of Alex Caruso looming over all of this.
cbssports.com/nba/news/laker… – 10:10 AM
I wrote about Austin Reaves making a leap, the Gilbert Arenas provision, and the ghost of Alex Caruso looming over all of this.
cbssports.com/nba/news/laker… – 10:10 AM
Brad Turner @BA_Turner
My dude @DanWoikeSports has this fun story in @latimessports: Austin Reaves has come a long way from a tiny Arkansas town to Lakers ‘MVP!’ latimes.com/sports/lakers/… – 10:00 AM
My dude @DanWoikeSports has this fun story in @latimessports: Austin Reaves has come a long way from a tiny Arkansas town to Lakers ‘MVP!’ latimes.com/sports/lakers/… – 10:00 AM
CBS NBA @CBSSportsNBA
Lakers’ Austin Reaves is making a leap, but Gilbert Arenas rule may make it hard for L.A. to pay him for it
(By @SamQuinnCBS)
cbssports.com/nba/news/laker… – 9:45 AM
Lakers’ Austin Reaves is making a leap, but Gilbert Arenas rule may make it hard for L.A. to pay him for it
(By @SamQuinnCBS)
cbssports.com/nba/news/laker… – 9:45 AM
Jorge Sierra @hoopshype
Austin Reaves on MVP chants: “Obviously not an MVP caliber player. Those guys are really good… But for them to do that is special and means a lot to me. So, you know, shout out Laker Nation.” pic.twitter.com/HfYcdtDPdz – 5:28 AM
Austin Reaves on MVP chants: “Obviously not an MVP caliber player. Those guys are really good… But for them to do that is special and means a lot to me. So, you know, shout out Laker Nation.” pic.twitter.com/HfYcdtDPdz – 5:28 AM
Kurt Helin @basketballtalk
Watch Austin Reaves score career-high 35, lead Lakers past Magic nba.nbcsports.com/2023/03/20/wat… – 3:03 AM
Watch Austin Reaves score career-high 35, lead Lakers past Magic nba.nbcsports.com/2023/03/20/wat… – 3:03 AM
Kyle Goon @kylegoon
Don’t let Austin Reaves fool you. When he hits the court, he turns off the Arkansas charm and turns on the competitive fire, drilling shots and getting a whistle along the way.
The second-year guard had a career night in a win the Lakers needed: ocregister.com/2023/03/19/lak… – 2:07 AM
Don’t let Austin Reaves fool you. When he hits the court, he turns off the Arkansas charm and turns on the competitive fire, drilling shots and getting a whistle along the way.
The second-year guard had a career night in a win the Lakers needed: ocregister.com/2023/03/19/lak… – 2:07 AM
Ryan Ward @RyanWardLA
Austin Reaves on hearing MVP chants: “I try to, every time I take the court, play with a sense of urgency and leave it all out on the floor. Because, I mean, I just feel like that’s how basketball should be played any sport, you should be able to 110% at all times.” – 1:51 AM
Austin Reaves on hearing MVP chants: “I try to, every time I take the court, play with a sense of urgency and leave it all out on the floor. Because, I mean, I just feel like that’s how basketball should be played any sport, you should be able to 110% at all times.” – 1:51 AM
Ryan Ward @RyanWardLA
Darvin Ham on what his first impression of Austin Reaves was (1/2): “My impression was he just didn’t mind taking chances. … He wasn’t afraid. And he’s just a flat-out hooper, he just loves to hoop…” – 1:40 AM
Darvin Ham on what his first impression of Austin Reaves was (1/2): “My impression was he just didn’t mind taking chances. … He wasn’t afraid. And he’s just a flat-out hooper, he just loves to hoop…” – 1:40 AM
Sam Quinn @SamQuinnCBS
All five Lakers starters had negative point differentials. All four Lakers reserves had positive point differentials.
Rui Hachimura: +4
Dennis Schroder: +22
Wenyen Gabriel: +25
Austin Reaves: +25 – 1:12 AM
All five Lakers starters had negative point differentials. All four Lakers reserves had positive point differentials.
Rui Hachimura: +4
Dennis Schroder: +22
Wenyen Gabriel: +25
Austin Reaves: +25 – 1:12 AM
Kyle Goon @kylegoon
Austin Reaves shot 18 attempts from the free throw line tonight, more than the Magic as a team. He cites James Harden and Trae Young as influences, and he’s tried to incorporate some of why they do into his game: pic.twitter.com/bDqfcFxvj1 – 1:08 AM
Austin Reaves shot 18 attempts from the free throw line tonight, more than the Magic as a team. He cites James Harden and Trae Young as influences, and he’s tried to incorporate some of why they do into his game: pic.twitter.com/bDqfcFxvj1 – 1:08 AM
Kyle Goon @kylegoon
Austin Reaves on scoring the last 10 points of the win against the Magic: “I grew up a Lakers fan. To do it for this organization especially is surreal. Sometimes I gotta stop and really think about what I am doing. Obviously I thought all the odds were stacked against me.” pic.twitter.com/fU13EuEbmo – 1:06 AM
Austin Reaves on scoring the last 10 points of the win against the Magic: “I grew up a Lakers fan. To do it for this organization especially is surreal. Sometimes I gotta stop and really think about what I am doing. Obviously I thought all the odds were stacked against me.” pic.twitter.com/fU13EuEbmo – 1:06 AM
Sam Quinn @SamQuinnCBS
“Wow, Sam, are these Austin Reaves’ passing highlights for the entire season?”
“No, this is from ONE HALF against the Magic on Sunday.” pic.twitter.com/ZWXSiJIeFN – 12:43 AM
“Wow, Sam, are these Austin Reaves’ passing highlights for the entire season?”
“No, this is from ONE HALF against the Magic on Sunday.” pic.twitter.com/ZWXSiJIeFN – 12:43 AM
Mike Trudell @LakersReporter
Anthony Davis on Austin Reaves:
“He carried us tonight with his play. Got whatever he wanted … pick and roll … got to the line. We know what we have in Austin.” – 12:19 AM
Anthony Davis on Austin Reaves:
“He carried us tonight with his play. Got whatever he wanted … pick and roll … got to the line. We know what we have in Austin.” – 12:19 AM
Jovan Buha @jovanbuha
Austin Reaves said he’s studied James Harden and Trae Young to become better at drawing fouls. – 12:15 AM
Austin Reaves said he’s studied James Harden and Trae Young to become better at drawing fouls. – 12:15 AM
Mike Trudell @LakersReporter
With Austin Reaves scoring 35 tonight, it was just the 10th time in Lakers history a player has scored 35 off the bench (last was KCP in 2019, via @JoeyARamirez).
The Lakers needed every one of them for a critical win as they’re again tied for the No. 9 slot, 1 game behind 7th. – 12:08 AM
With Austin Reaves scoring 35 tonight, it was just the 10th time in Lakers history a player has scored 35 off the bench (last was KCP in 2019, via @JoeyARamirez).
The Lakers needed every one of them for a critical win as they’re again tied for the No. 9 slot, 1 game behind 7th. – 12:08 AM
Sam Quinn @SamQuinnCBS
The Lakers cannot let Austin Reaves go. It’s that simple. He’s their best young player and maybe their third-best overall player.
Keeping Austin Reaves is going to be expensive. Guess what? Good players are expensive. Ownership had better pay up for him after the Caruso debacle. – 12:05 AM
The Lakers cannot let Austin Reaves go. It’s that simple. He’s their best young player and maybe their third-best overall player.
Keeping Austin Reaves is going to be expensive. Guess what? Good players are expensive. Ownership had better pay up for him after the Caruso debacle. – 12:05 AM
Sam Quinn @SamQuinnCBS
I think the Lakers need to be ready for the idea that Austin Reaves gets an Arenas rule offer.
That would mean a four-year, $80 million deal structured like this:
Year 1: $11 million
Year 2: $12 million
Year 3: $28 million
Year 4: $29 million
The Lakers can match any offer. – 12:03 AM
I think the Lakers need to be ready for the idea that Austin Reaves gets an Arenas rule offer.
That would mean a four-year, $80 million deal structured like this:
Year 1: $11 million
Year 2: $12 million
Year 3: $28 million
Year 4: $29 million
The Lakers can match any offer. – 12:03 AM
Kevin O’Connor @KevinOConnorNBA
Austin Reaves 📈
Tonight:
35 points
6 assists
9/14 FG
16/18 FT
Reaves was a 3-star HS recruit and a late bloomer in college but he’s coming along in year 2 for the Lakers. Everything that worked at lower levels as a scorer and playmaker is translating. pic.twitter.com/Amlwkl2l4l… – 12:02 AM
Austin Reaves 📈
Tonight:
35 points
6 assists
9/14 FG
16/18 FT
Reaves was a 3-star HS recruit and a late bloomer in college but he’s coming along in year 2 for the Lakers. Everything that worked at lower levels as a scorer and playmaker is translating. pic.twitter.com/Amlwkl2l4l… – 12:02 AM
NBA on ESPN @ESPNNBA
A CAREER NIGHT FOR AUSTIN REAVES LEADS THE LAKERS TO A W 💪 pic.twitter.com/Y7NSPggK9G – 12:01 AM
A CAREER NIGHT FOR AUSTIN REAVES LEADS THE LAKERS TO A W 💪 pic.twitter.com/Y7NSPggK9G – 12:01 AM
Kamenetzky Brothers @KamBrothers
Austin Reaves this offseason. AK pic.twitter.com/TigVMhG94V – 12:00 AM
Austin Reaves this offseason. AK pic.twitter.com/TigVMhG94V – 12:00 AM
Jovan Buha @jovanbuha
Final: Lakers 111, Magic 105
A critical win for the Lakers, who improve to 35-37 and move into a tie with Minnesota for No. 9 in the West (MIN has tiebreaker). Austin Reaves scored a career-high 35 points, carrying LA’s offense down the stretch.
Up next: vs. PHX on Wednesday. – 11:58 PM
Final: Lakers 111, Magic 105
A critical win for the Lakers, who improve to 35-37 and move into a tie with Minnesota for No. 9 in the West (MIN has tiebreaker). Austin Reaves scored a career-high 35 points, carrying LA’s offense down the stretch.
Up next: vs. PHX on Wednesday. – 11:58 PM
Sam Quinn @SamQuinnCBS
Free throw attempts in March:
Austin Reaves: 77
DeMar DeRozan: 67
James Harden: 58
Trae Young: 53 – 11:57 PM
Free throw attempts in March:
Austin Reaves: 77
DeMar DeRozan: 67
James Harden: 58
Trae Young: 53 – 11:57 PM
Dave McMenamin @mcten
Lakers beat the Magic, 111-105, to avoid a disastrous loss. Austin Reaves 35p (career high) on 9-of-14 FGs and 16-of-18 FTs 6r 6a; D-Lo 18p 6a; AD 15p 11r; Schroder 12p 5a; TBJ 12p 5r. LAL gets two days off before hosting PHX on Wednesday. – 11:56 PM
Lakers beat the Magic, 111-105, to avoid a disastrous loss. Austin Reaves 35p (career high) on 9-of-14 FGs and 16-of-18 FTs 6r 6a; D-Lo 18p 6a; AD 15p 11r; Schroder 12p 5a; TBJ 12p 5r. LAL gets two days off before hosting PHX on Wednesday. – 11:56 PM
Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
Austin Reaves outscored Magic bench 35-26 tonight in Los Angeles… and the free throw count!
Orlando Magic: 13/17
Austin Reaves: 16/18 – 11:54 PM
Austin Reaves outscored Magic bench 35-26 tonight in Los Angeles… and the free throw count!
Orlando Magic: 13/17
Austin Reaves: 16/18 – 11:54 PM
Sam Quinn @SamQuinnCBS
Austin Reaves is shooting 58-43-81 since the Russell Westbrook trade.
All he needed was space and on-ball reps. Now that he’s gotten them he’s becoming one of the best young guards in basketball. – 11:54 PM
Austin Reaves is shooting 58-43-81 since the Russell Westbrook trade.
All he needed was space and on-ball reps. Now that he’s gotten them he’s becoming one of the best young guards in basketball. – 11:54 PM
StatMuse @statmuse
Austin Reaves off the bench:
35 PTS
6 REB
6 AST
9-14 FG
16-18 FT
Career high in PTS and FT. pic.twitter.com/LS6UTAwvIF – 11:54 PM
Austin Reaves off the bench:
35 PTS
6 REB
6 AST
9-14 FG
16-18 FT
Career high in PTS and FT. pic.twitter.com/LS6UTAwvIF – 11:54 PM
Dave McMenamin @mcten
Austin Reaves is being serenaded with “MVP! MVP!” chants here at Crypto.com Arena after hitting four free throws in the last couple trips down to give LAL breathing room vs ORL, up 107-103. Reaves has a season-high 31 points, 6 reb, 6 ast. – 11:49 PM
Austin Reaves is being serenaded with “MVP! MVP!” chants here at Crypto.com Arena after hitting four free throws in the last couple trips down to give LAL breathing room vs ORL, up 107-103. Reaves has a season-high 31 points, 6 reb, 6 ast. – 11:49 PM
Tony Jones @Tjonesonthenba
Will this be the game that finally gets Austin Reaves into the starting lineup? – 11:48 PM
Will this be the game that finally gets Austin Reaves into the starting lineup? – 11:48 PM
Mike Trudell @LakersReporter
Austin Reaves has tied his career high with 31 points, on 9 of 14 FG’s, with 12 of 13 FT’s, after hitting a pair to put LAL up 4 with 33.8 seconds left.
These 31 are considerably more important than his previous, which came in the season finale last year at Denver. – 11:48 PM
Austin Reaves has tied his career high with 31 points, on 9 of 14 FG’s, with 12 of 13 FT’s, after hitting a pair to put LAL up 4 with 33.8 seconds left.
These 31 are considerably more important than his previous, which came in the season finale last year at Denver. – 11:48 PM
Jovan Buha @jovanbuha
Austin Reaves tonight vs. Orlando: 31 points (9-14 FGs, 12-13 FTs), 6 rebounds and 6 assists in 30 minutes. – 11:48 PM
Austin Reaves tonight vs. Orlando: 31 points (9-14 FGs, 12-13 FTs), 6 rebounds and 6 assists in 30 minutes. – 11:48 PM
Kamenetzky Brothers @KamBrothers
The Lakers letting Caruso walk over money was the best thing that could have happened to Austin Reaves. One less guard meant more immediate opportunity, and the optics of that decision alone could be worth a few extra mil for Reaves, who they *can’t* allow to leave. AK – 11:41 PM
The Lakers letting Caruso walk over money was the best thing that could have happened to Austin Reaves. One less guard meant more immediate opportunity, and the optics of that decision alone could be worth a few extra mil for Reaves, who they *can’t* allow to leave. AK – 11:41 PM
Ryan Ward @RyanWardLA
Austin Reaves will get paid this summer… Only one player on the Lakers is making less than Reaves ($1.5M) outside of the two-way guys: Max Christie ($1.01M) pic.twitter.com/fFhqDuRFRu – 11:26 PM
Austin Reaves will get paid this summer… Only one player on the Lakers is making less than Reaves ($1.5M) outside of the two-way guys: Max Christie ($1.01M) pic.twitter.com/fFhqDuRFRu – 11:26 PM
Jovan Buha @jovanbuha
Third quarter: Lakers 84, Magic 81
Austin Reaves is having one of his best games of the season, w/ 22 points, 4 rebounds and 5 assists through three. D’Angelo Russell has 13 points and 5 assists. Anthony Davis has 12 points and 8 rebounds. Magic winning pts in the paint 40-28. – 11:19 PM
Third quarter: Lakers 84, Magic 81
Austin Reaves is having one of his best games of the season, w/ 22 points, 4 rebounds and 5 assists through three. D’Angelo Russell has 13 points and 5 assists. Anthony Davis has 12 points and 8 rebounds. Magic winning pts in the paint 40-28. – 11:19 PM
Khobi Price @khobi_price
Austin Reaves and Paolo Banchero going bucket for bucket should be primetime TV. – 10:37 PM
Austin Reaves and Paolo Banchero going bucket for bucket should be primetime TV. – 10:37 PM
Jovan Buha @jovanbuha
Halftime: Lakers 59, Magic 49
Austin Reaves, on fire down the stretch of the first half, banks in a halfcourt shot after the buzzer. He has 16 points and 5 assists. Dennis Schroder and D’Angelo Russell each have 10 points. Anthony Davis has 5 points and 6 rebounds. – 10:35 PM
Halftime: Lakers 59, Magic 49
Austin Reaves, on fire down the stretch of the first half, banks in a halfcourt shot after the buzzer. He has 16 points and 5 assists. Dennis Schroder and D’Angelo Russell each have 10 points. Anthony Davis has 5 points and 6 rebounds. – 10:35 PM
Evan Dunlap @BQRMagic
The Magic are really gonna let Austin Reaves put up a 25-point triple-double aren’t they – 10:34 PM
The Magic are really gonna let Austin Reaves put up a 25-point triple-double aren’t they – 10:34 PM
Sam Quinn @SamQuinnCBS
Austin Reaves and Dennis Schroder have developed this really fun chemistry that’s probably gonna get broken up this offseason, but was definitely fun while it lasted. – 10:16 PM
Austin Reaves and Dennis Schroder have developed this really fun chemistry that’s probably gonna get broken up this offseason, but was definitely fun while it lasted. – 10:16 PM
Mike Trudell @LakersReporter
Austin Reaves and Dennis Schröder have been foul-drawing machines in March, with increased usage in LeBron’s absence, despite coming off the bench.
Reaves is attempting 6.6 per game in his 28 minutes (which would rank 16th in the NBA for the season), and Schröder 4.1 (55th). – 10:07 PM
Austin Reaves and Dennis Schröder have been foul-drawing machines in March, with increased usage in LeBron’s absence, despite coming off the bench.
Reaves is attempting 6.6 per game in his 28 minutes (which would rank 16th in the NBA for the season), and Schröder 4.1 (55th). – 10:07 PM
Jovan Buha @jovanbuha
First quarter: Lakers 28, Magic 25
The Lakers rallied after trailing by as many as 9 points early. Troy Brown Jr. has 9 points (three 3s). Austin Reaves has 6 points. Anthony Davis has 5 points, 4 rebounds and 1 block. Orlando’s frontcourt size has been an early issue for LA. – 10:07 PM
First quarter: Lakers 28, Magic 25
The Lakers rallied after trailing by as many as 9 points early. Troy Brown Jr. has 9 points (three 3s). Austin Reaves has 6 points. Anthony Davis has 5 points, 4 rebounds and 1 block. Orlando’s frontcourt size has been an early issue for LA. – 10:07 PM
Sam Quinn @SamQuinnCBS
I’d love to know how many of his own missed jumpers Austin Reaves has rebounded because it feels like 200. – 10:05 PM
I’d love to know how many of his own missed jumpers Austin Reaves has rebounded because it feels like 200. – 10:05 PM
Mike Trudell @LakersReporter
The LAL crowd has been looking for a moment to get going, and Austin Reaves provided it, with B2B buckets immediately after entering the game to pull LAL within 3. They’d trailed by as many as 9. – 9:55 PM
The LAL crowd has been looking for a moment to get going, and Austin Reaves provided it, with B2B buckets immediately after entering the game to pull LAL within 3. They’d trailed by as many as 9. – 9:55 PM
More on this storyline
The coming weeks will ultimately determine how the situation plays out. The Lakers have 10 regular-season games remaining, and possibly some postseason games as well. In the meantime, Reaves is thriving as his role expands and his confidence grows down the stretch of this season. “It’s special,” Reaves said of playing for the Lakers. “I mean, I grew up a Lakers fan. To do it for this organization, especially, is surreal. Sometimes I gotta stop and really think about what I am doing. … All I’m really happy about is the win.” -via The Athletic / March 20, 2023
Ryan Ward: Austin Reaves on MVP chants: “Obviously, that’s never sustainable. But for them to recognize what I do, obviously, not an MVP-caliber player, guys that are really good. But for them to do that, for me is special. It means a lot to me. So, you know, shout out Lakers Nation.” -via Twitter @RyanWardLA / March 20, 2023
Jovan Buha: Anthony Davis said he and LeBron joke about Austin Reaves’ ability to get foul calls and draw free throws. “Man, we wish we could get some of those,” Davis said. -via Twitter @jovanbuha / March 20, 2023