Lakers Rumors: Insider Predicts Austin Reaves Signs Huge Offer Sheet With Western Conference Rival
After an impressive regular season and postseason run, Lakers guard Austin Reaves has garnered a ton of interest around the league as he heads into restricted free agency. Reaves saw a major jump in production just from even a season ago and is now in line for a major payday.
The Lakers certainly want to keep Reaves around for the long haul, especially after the way he has grown as a player. However, due to the Gilbert Arenas Rule, the most the team can offer him is a four year deal, worth $51 million, while other teams can give him an offer sheet up to four years, worth $98.5 million.
That's quite a difference in salary for Reaves and even with that, all reports signal that the Lakers intend to match any deal that comes their way. Los Angeles can't afford to lose the young player as he showed his value and certainly has the skillset to get even better.
The formerly undrafted player had grown into his own as a player and has the mindset needed to succeed. Reaves is a seemly efficient scorer, who can play both on and off the ball. However, when the ball is in his hands, it's a thing of beauty to watch.
Nobody really knows the true ceiling for Reaves. Is he a star? Or just a very quality starting level player for a championship team? The team must decide, especially if they intend to match a high offer sheet. Either way, the Lakers need him make sure he stays with the Purple and Gold.
Grant Hughes of Bleacher Report predicts that the 25-year-old shooting guard will ink a full four-year, $98.5 million offer sheet with the San Antonio Spurs, and that the Lakers will match the deal to keep Reaves in LA.
Reaves has spoken about how he wants to stay with the Lakers and build off what he has already done. He wants to be under the bright lights with the Lakers and the Lakers want him back as well. They are a good match and surely, he will be priority number one this offseason.
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