With essential decisions to make regarding contract extensions and trade targets, the Lakers should plan to check off every box possible.
According to Sports Illustrated’s Ricardo Sandoval, the Lakers could cut ties with Austin Reaves this summer via a blockbuster summer trade.
“The Lakers can offer Reaves a four-year, $89.2 million contract, which would be an upgrade from his current four-year, $53 million contract,” Sandoval wrote Thursday. “L.A. would love for him to sign; however, the expectation is he will decline that and opt out of his current contract after next season.”
“If Reaves signs that extension, the Lakers will pay the guard up to $42.5 million a year. While Reaves has proven to be worthy of the money, the front office may have other thoughts. His playoff performance was not up to par, and that is putting it kindly.
He was a shell of himself, and with the combination of the extension and his play, the Lakers could look to move on from the 26-year-old guard this summer. Nothing is set in stone; however, the Lakers may be reluctant to pay him that type of money.
“At the end of the day, it’s all about what the president of basketball operations and general manager, Rob Pelinka, wants to do. Reaves is far from untouchable, so if a deal strikes that the Lakers cannot say ‘no’ to and it involves Reaves, Pelinka would have no choice but to pull the trigger.”
The Lakers had high expectations for Reaves entering the postseason. The undrafted 6-foot-5 guard was a legitimate candidate for the Most Improved Player award during the regular season.
Reaves, a confident perimeter-oriented star who plays with an edge, averaged 20.2 points, 5.8 assists, and 4.5 rebounds on the 50-32 Lakers, shooting 46.0% from the field and 37.7% from deep.
Unfortunately, the Oklahoma product’s playoff performance wasn’t good enough to propel Los Angeles to a first-round win over the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Reaves poured in 16.2 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 3.6 assists in five playoff games, drilling 41.1% of his field goals and 31.9% of his three-point jumpers.
Although recent reports have indicated Los Angeles will retain the fourth-year pro this summer, they may not have a choice in a groundbreaking deal for a frontcourt stud.
Demanding Reaves in a trade would allow the opposite party to stay afloat and compete for playoff berths.
Time will tell if the Reaves and the Lakers part ways in the offseason.
