Austin Reaves has been a standout for the Lakers this season and the franchise is in a pickle as a result of he enters restricted free company over the summer time.
Reaves was a former undrafted, two-way contract participant who has stepped up in massive moments to turn into LA’s third finest participant behind LeBron and AD.
The capturing guard averaged 16.9 factors, 4.6 assists and 4.4 rebounds and shot 44.3 p.c from past the arc all through the postseason.
There have been latest experiences that he may fetch well upwards of $50 million as a restricted free agent.
Now, three groups have been named as reputable suitors for the 24-year-old, in response to B/R’s Greg Swartz.
“This provide may come from quite a few younger groups with cap area that want a do-it-all combo guard, an inventory that features the Houston Rockets, Orlando Magic and San Antonio Spurs,” he wrote.
Kelly Iko of The Athletic additionally reported this week that Reaves is on the Rockets’ shortlist.
“Exterior of Harden, different high-ranking targets for Houston embody Brook Lopez, Dillon Brooks and restricted free brokers Cam Johnson and Austin Reaves, league sources stated,” Iko said.
If Houston did turn into the touchdown spot for Reaves, he would immediately jell with the younger core and be an elite ball handler to go with Jalen Inexperienced.
Regardless of all of the rumors swirling, Reaves has made it recognized a number of occasions that he’d like to stay a Laker.
He drove the purpose residence in his exit interview.
“I wanna be right here,” Reaves stated. “This appears like residence to me in a way. Clearly this can be a lot completely different than my precise residence. It’s slightly larger, much more folks, worse site visitors. However I advised someone a pair months in the past that it appears like a house for me mainly.
“The best way the followers assist me, the gamers, teaching employees, entrance workplace. That is undoubtedly someplace I wanna be, however we’ll see what occurs.”
In all chance, Reaves will signal a suggestion sheet for a contract above $50 million with a rival crew however the Lakers will match it.
With a lot uncertainty around for the purple and gold, bringing again a cult favourite could be a giant win for Lakers followers.
