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The Los Angeles Lakers are facing a massive decision over the offseason — what are they willing to do to keep star Austin Reaves on the team?
If Reaves stayed healthy, he was a lock to make an All-Star team in 2025. He has grown into one of the more consistent players night in, night out, with the ability to score and generate offense at an elite level.
Reaves achieves this through great feel on the court, smart play, and draft scoring moves. He does not have elite athleticism or burst, but rather, he wins with heads-up play.
More importantly than anything else, Reaves has the stamp of approval from franchise player Luka Doncic, who loves playing with the pending free agent.
Apr 21, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) and guard Austin Reaves (15) look on from the bench during the second half of game two of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs against the Houston Rockets at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
However, around the basketball world, there are concerns about the viability of a Doncic-Reaves backcourt defensively.
Both can struggle to defend and move laterally for different reasons, but the front office does not share these concerns.
According to a new story from Dan Woike, Lakers beat writer for The Athletic, the Lakers are confident that they can contend for a title with these two at the guard spot.
“Provided the Lakers address other needs on the wing and at the rim, defensive concerns about a Dončić-and-Reaves pairing are overstated, one team source said,” Woike wrote.
“Reaves was also one of the most important voices inside the Lakers’ locker room a season ago, his leadership developing year over year.”
Apr 21, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) and guard Austin Reaves (15) look on from the bench during the second half of game two of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs against the Houston Rockets at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Reaves can get four years and $178 million on the free-agent market, which grades out to around $44 million per year. The Lakers can offer him five years, $241 million, coming in around $48 million per year.
There are reports that Reaves wants to give the Lakers a somewhat steep discount, but his agency is pushing for him to maximize his earnings.
With Reaves holding such a big place in the Lakers’ current infrastructure, it is hard to see him leave, and ultimately, he will sign for more than $40 million per year.
The post Lakers’ Feelings on Luka Doncic-Austin Reaves Defense Revealed appeared first on LA Sports Report.
Continue reading...
If Reaves stayed healthy, he was a lock to make an All-Star team in 2025. He has grown into one of the more consistent players night in, night out, with the ability to score and generate offense at an elite level.
Reaves achieves this through great feel on the court, smart play, and draft scoring moves. He does not have elite athleticism or burst, but rather, he wins with heads-up play.
More importantly than anything else, Reaves has the stamp of approval from franchise player Luka Doncic, who loves playing with the pending free agent.
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Apr 21, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) and guard Austin Reaves (15) look on from the bench during the second half of game two of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs against the Houston Rockets at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
However, around the basketball world, there are concerns about the viability of a Doncic-Reaves backcourt defensively.
Both can struggle to defend and move laterally for different reasons, but the front office does not share these concerns.
According to a new story from Dan Woike, Lakers beat writer for The Athletic, the Lakers are confident that they can contend for a title with these two at the guard spot.
“Provided the Lakers address other needs on the wing and at the rim, defensive concerns about a Dončić-and-Reaves pairing are overstated, one team source said,” Woike wrote.
“Reaves was also one of the most important voices inside the Lakers’ locker room a season ago, his leadership developing year over year.”
You must be registered for see images attach
Apr 21, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) and guard Austin Reaves (15) look on from the bench during the second half of game two of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs against the Houston Rockets at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
How much will Austin Reaves cost the Lakers?
Reaves can get four years and $178 million on the free-agent market, which grades out to around $44 million per year. The Lakers can offer him five years, $241 million, coming in around $48 million per year.
There are reports that Reaves wants to give the Lakers a somewhat steep discount, but his agency is pushing for him to maximize his earnings.
With Reaves holding such a big place in the Lakers’ current infrastructure, it is hard to see him leave, and ultimately, he will sign for more than $40 million per year.
The post Lakers’ Feelings on Luka Doncic-Austin Reaves Defense Revealed appeared first on LA Sports Report.
Continue reading...
