Lakers News: LA Worried Austin Reaves Was Playing Too Well Ahead Of Free Agency
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Ask any Laker fan about Austin Reaves right now and they'll all tell you the same thing... he should be the number one priority to bring back this offseason for the Lakers. And it is very easy to see why!
Reaves is the definition of someone playing their cards right. He went un-drafted and got picked up by a team with arguably the biggest market in America next to New York. He put in his time in the G-League and eventually found his way onto the main roster for the Lakers and the rest is history.
Those trade deadline moves were obviously meant to allow LeBron James and Anthony Davis have more room to operate on the floor and not have to carry the load each night but they brought the most out of Reaves as well. When James went down with a foot injury late in the regular, the former Oklahoma guard was able to really shine as he averaged 18 points on 41 percent from three to go with six assists per game in his absence.
But it's also fair to assume that LA was a bit nervous when they saw how well Reaves continued to play as they made their WCF run. Being one of only four teams left in the entire playoffs, the rest of the league was watching and the 25-year-old guard did not disappoint.
Despite getting swept by the Denver Nuggets, Reaves took his game to a whole other level with averages of 21 points and five assists on 56% from three in his last four games of the season.
And it should come as no surprise that right before this series, reports surfaced that the Lakers were beginning to fear that another team might be preparing to offer the young, dynamic scorer a contract that they could not.
"Lakers are concerned Austin Reaves will receive contract offers from other teams worth more than the $50M, 4-year deal they can offer, per @ShamsCharania"
He will be a restricted free agent which gives LA all the power to bring him back if they truly prioritize his craft.
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