The price tag for Austin Reaves seems to be increasing by the minute and now it is being reported that the Lakers will match any offers up to $100M for the young guard.
From an undrafted player to a cult hero, Reaves’ stock has risen tremendously this season as he became LA’s third-highest scorer behind LeBron and AD (16.9 PPG).
If the Lakers use their Bird Rights, Reaves is eligible for $50.8 million over four years but could fetch up to $98.6 million from another team.
Lakers Insider Jovan Buha believes the Lakers will match rival offers.
“The Lakers are going to match any contract offer sheet that he signs up to that $100 million,” Buha said on The Hoops Hype Podcast. “The Lakers view him as the third-best player on this team if you look at the regular season and postseason he had. He stepped up big time and was basically an 18-5-5 guy with near 50-40-90 shooting splits as a starter for them. There were several factors as to why the Lakers made that second half run, but chief among them — and maybe the biggest factor overall — was Reaves’ ascension.”
The purple and gold may have an old fashioned stand-off on their hands though, as Buha believes one team in particular are set to poach him.
“I’ve heard San Antonio could be a dark horse team that will try to poach Austin from the Lakers,” Buha said.
The podcast host, Michael Scotto also pondered about Reaves’ future and thinks the Lakers should work to retain the talent.
“Some executives think he’s worth $80 million (over four years),” Scotoo said. “Once free agency unfolds, maybe some teams don’t get guys they thought they would get with cap space.
“Could they make a bigger offer sheet and go up to that $100 million? That remains to be seen. The Lakers will have the opportunity to keep him. He’s not even scratching the surface of his prime. He’s only 25.”
The shooter averaged a career high of 13 points per game in 64 games during the regular season and proved he can handle the pressure of big moments in the postseason.
Read more: Three Teams Emerge as Frontrunners for Austin Reaves
