Austin Reaves emerged as a big offensive revelation for the Los Angeles Lakers throughout their playoff run final season. However, his journey to success was removed from typical. The 25-year-old needed to face the problem of going undrafted, main him to wager on himself and show his value. Despite the preliminary setback, Reaves opted for a two-way cope with the Lakers, seizing the chance to showcase his abilities.
Reaves had his break-out season final yr after taking on the ball-handling duties following Russell Westbrook’s departure in February. In a span of some months, the Arkansas native earned a beginning spot alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Reaves offensive and defensive productions proved essential in serving to the Lakers attain the Western Conference Finals.
Austin Reaves not too long ago shared how he landed on the Lake Show on the ‘All The Smoke’ podcast. “I knew what I was capable of doing. You know, the skillset, IQ, stuff like that. So it was really just about, my agency put me in a good position to have all of that,” the Lakers’ guard added, “We could’ve gotten drafted 42nd to Detroit, but kind of declined that to put me in LA for a better spot.”
Reaves may have opted to go along with Detroit again in 2021, however his brokers prompted him to go for the larger market in Los Angeles. Two years following his signing with the Lakers, the danger duly paid off for him. He not too long ago signed an exorbitant contract with the workforce, an enormous leap from being undrafted within the 2021 NBA Draft.
After Rob Pelinka determined to half methods with Russell Westbrook, Reaves grew to become their major ball-handler. The two-way capturing guard additionally grew to become one of many workforce’s finest shooters, pulling down the 3-ball at a excessive clip of 38%.
His offensive effectivity earned him the nickname ‘AR-15’. Austin Reaves averaged 16.8 factors, 4.6 assists, and 4.5 rebounds within the playoffs. He is presently a fan-favorite, with followers evaluating him to the previous Laker Alex Caruso.
“We could have got drafted 42nd to Detroit, but declined that to put me in LA… I didn’t really have to hear my name called… It was all about playing the long game.”
Austin Reaves actually wager on himself by going undrafted 🙌
(by way of @shobasketball)pic.twitter.com/9GPMj10WBd
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) July 20, 2023
Austin Reaves’ contract extension with the Lakers
After Austin Reaves flirted with a number of different groups throughout free company, the 25-year-old signed a large cope with the Lakers. Reaves agreed to a $56 million/4-year deal to return to the Lakers.
Things grew to become sophisticated firstly of free company, with groups trying to pounce on the guard. After Reaves outplayed his two-way contract, his worth soared to nearly $90 million available in the market. There have been situations the place Reaves may have opted for a a lot greater contract with totally different groups, however the brand new CBA restrictions on cap areas repelled his brokers to re-sign with the Lakers.
The four-year deal is the utmost that the Lakers’ may supply because the workforce doesn’t have his full chook rights. When the Lakers acquired Reaves by means of free company two years in the past, they retained his Early Bird Rights, which grew to become an element within the negotiation course of.
RFA Austin Reaves has agreed to return to the Los Angeles Lakers on a four-year, $56 million Early Bird most contract, sources inform @TheAthletic @Stadium. Agents Aaron Reilly and Reggie Berry of AMR Agency negotiated the brand new deal to maintain Reaves in L.A. long run.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 1, 2023
Reaves’ return to the Lakers was complemented by the rejoining of fellow gamers D’Angelo Russell and Rui Hachimura. With these additions to their roster, the Lakers have emerged as one of many favorites to contend for the Western Conference title. The workforce’s success within the upcoming season will undoubtedly be closely reliant on Reaves’ efficiency.
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