Latest news with #AustinReaves
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Lakers Fans Excited After Chris Paul News
Lakers Fans Excited After Chris Paul News originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Los Angeles Lakers became a guard-driven team after flipping Anthony Davis to the Dallas Mavericks for Luka Doncic in February, and it could stay that way for years to come. The latter star averaged a team-high 28.2 points per game in the regular season and 30.2 in the playoffs, while fellow guard Austin Reaves was third with 16.2 points in the postseason. Advertisement Meanwhile, future Hall of Famer Chris Paul was at home during the playoffs for the second straight season. The 40-year-old has made the postseason 15 times, but missed out with the Golden State Warriors in 2024 and the San Antonio Spurs this year. However, a new report suggests that Paul could attempt one more run at his first championship out west, via NBA insider Marc Stein. San Antonio Spurs guard Chris Paul (3)© Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images 'Chris Paul would be another [Dallas] Mavericks target at $5.7 million, but there is a growing belief that Paul — after starting all 82 games last season in San Antonio as a 39-year-old newcomer to the Spurs — is determined to play closer to his home base in Los Angeles if he indeed comes back for a 21st season,' he wrote on Friday. Advertisement The Wake Forest alum is an unrestricted free agent this offseason. Lakers fans on social media want to see him play for their team. "Luka, Reaves, DFS, Bron, Clax, CP3, NAW, Wiggins, Capela, Omggggggggggg," one said. "CP3 finally end up in LA? I think he will help more than hurt, so why not?" another asked. "Takes some more ball handling pressure from Bron and Luka. Especially if it's on a cheap deal." "Lakers Backup PG bye Gabe," another said. "I will love to see him playing alongside LeBron. That will be nice to watch," another said. "We bouta finally see Lebron & CP3 play together," another said. Advertisement Related: Lakers Turn Heads With Move Immediately After NBA Draft Related: NBA Fans React to Lakers-Timberwolves Trade This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 28, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Perfect Lakers Trade Scenario To Land Young Player And Two FRPs For Austin Reaves After $246M Max Deal Rumors
Perfect Lakers Trade Scenario To Land Young Player And Two FRPs For Austin Reaves After $246M Max Deal Rumors originally appeared on Fadeaway World. The Los Angeles Lakers' offseason continues with more troublesome news as their star, Austin Reaves, has declined the four-year, max extension offered to him. While this was expected, considering he is worth a lot more in the market, this decision puts the Lakers in a very complicated position. Advertisement Reaves' contract is undervalued, currently set to earn under $14 million next season. When factoring last season's averages of 20.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 5.8 assists per game, all while shooting 46.0% from the field, he is a bona fide star. The 27-year-old's decision to decline the max extension sets him up to be a free agent in the summer. Reaves expressed his desire to remain with the Purple and Gold. This will allow the team to sign him on a new contract in the 2026 offseason. The Lakers can potentially offer him a five-year deal worth $246 million. This has major implications for the team, particularly due to Luka Doncic's pending contract extension and LeBron James' future outlook with the team. James is currently expected to opt in to the final year of his contract, rendering him a free agent next summer. If the Lakers' superstar comes off the books, re-signing Reaves at this value doesn't become as much of a challenge, especially with the additional spending power that the team will have thanks to their new owners. Advertisement In the unfortunate situation that the Lakers cannot do so, we take a look at a potential trade the Purple and Gold can try to swing to get the most out of his contract. Potential Trade Details Los Angeles Lakers Receive: Devin Vassell, 2027 first-round pick, 2029 first-round pick San Antonio Spurs Receive: Austin Reaves This trade is beneficial for both teams involved. For the Lakers, this deal sees the arrival of a talented young player in Devin Vassell, along with two essential first-round picks. Meanwhile, the San Antonio Spurs continue to build upon their extensive backcourt rotation by adding another star-caliber player. Advertisement The addition of Devin Vassell could bring major changes to the Lakers' overall starting rotation. The 24-year-old had seen a relative decline in productivity after falling out of the Spurs' main rotation and receiving fewer minutes. Regardless, he recorded an average of 16.3 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game. He was impressive on the offensive front as well, shooting 44.3% from the field while knocking down 36.8% of his shots from beyond the arc. Vassell's creativity as an offensive player may not be on par with Reaves, but his ability to finish on plays may make him a better outlet option in this case. At 24 years old, he is also three years younger than the Lakers star, and with four years left on his contract, the Lakers will have some flexibility with managing their cap space after acquiring him. Meanwhile, the Lakers will also add two draft picks to their depleted reserves. Given the number of picks the Purple and Gold have used in trades, it would be a fortunate sight to see the team get some back in return. Although these only become relevant two years from now, the possession of draft capital is always a positive sight. Advertisement For the Spurs, acquiring Reaves could effectively transform the team from a playoff contender into a title contender. San Antonio features some incredibly talented players in the backcourt. From De'Aaron Fox and Stephon Castle to their rookie Dylan Harper, the Spurs are stacked in the guard position. While the addition of Reaves could theoretically pose problems for the development of players like Castle and Harper, it could also be invaluable to have him aid their development. The competition for the starting spot could see the two grow at a much faster rate, a positive sight for a young team. Reaves' versatility on offense would pair well with Fox, who often operates in the midrange. While the Lakers' star is also known to do the same, he has shown himself to be a capable three-point shooter even while playing off-ball. Reaves' ability to distribute and function in the pick-and-roll also makes him a solid partner for Spurs star Victor Wembanyama. The one-two punch of Reaves and Wembanyama could have opposing defenses confused due to Reaves' ability to create shots for himself and the big man's ability to shoot the long ball. Advertisement San Antonio's roster since drafting Harper has looked interesting. With title aspirations in the future, adding Reaves would become a part of the overall picture, lending to the need of fortifying their frontcourt. While this trade wouldn't necessarily help the Lakers become title contenders, the Spurs could very well become a genuine threat as favorites in the West. Related: The Lakers' Dream Starting Five For The 2025-26 Season This story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on Jun 27, 2025, where it first appeared.
USA Today
10 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Lakers and Austin Reaves are both motivated to find a long-term deal
One of the issues the Los Angeles Lakers have to resolve in the immediate future is the contract status of rising guard Austin Reaves. He has a player option for the 2026-27 season that he can turn down in order to become a free agent next summer, and according to a recent report, he is expected to seek a new contract that would pay him around $30 million a year. On Thursday, it was reported that he turned down a maximum contract offer from the Lakers that would've given him $89.2 million over four seasons. But according to ESPN, both sides do want to work something out in terms of a long-term deal. "In the summer of 2026, Reaves is eligible to sign a four-year, $98 million extension, or he can opt out of the final year of his contract, become an unrestricted free agent and be eligible for 25% of the salary cap for 2026-27. The Lakers made the offer, sources said, understanding that Reaves would turn it down, but the franchise wanted to show its interest in him nonetheless and would not have wanted to send the wrong signal by not offering it. Both sides, sources said, are motivated to find a deal next summer." Reaves has increased his production in each of the last three seasons. This season, he averaged 20.2 points and 5.8 assists a game and put up even bigger numbers following the arrival of Luka Doncic. He's now considered by many to be an All-Star level player, which has, in the minds of plenty of people, given the Lakers a "Big Three" of Reaves, Doncic and LeBron James.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
New Report on Austin Reaves' Relationship With Lakers After $89 Million Decision
New Report on Austin Reaves' Relationship With Lakers After $89 Million Decision originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Los Angeles Lakers entered the offseason focused on internal stability while exploring ways to upgrade their roster around LeBron James and Luka Doncic. After a first-round playoff exit and growing speculation around trade possibilities, team executives have remained active in extension talks with core rotation players in hopes of avoiding further uncertainty during the season. Advertisement One player that has consistently been brought up in trade rumors is fourth-year guard Austin Reaves, despite an impressive 2024-25 season. Reaves, who signed a four-year, $54 million deal as a restricted free agent in 2023, was eligible this offseason for an extension worth up to $89.2 million over four years—the maximum allowed by league rules under his current deal. Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15)Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images However, according to The Athletic's Dan Woike, Reaves declined that offer earlier this week, which means he will enter free agency next off season. 'League sources told The Athletic that Reaves formally declined a max extension with the Lakers this week that would've paid him $89.2 million over the next four seasons," Woike wrote. "He's about to start the third year of a four-year, $54 million contract he signed as a restricted free agent in 2023 — also the max number he could receive from the Lakers at the time" In an important part of the report, Woike also noted that the decision "wasn't a reflection of Reaves and the Lakers' relationship," but rather a calculated move to enter unrestricted free agency in 2025, when he could command a significantly larger deal. Advertisement Nonetheless, reactions from Lakers fans were mixed following the report. 'Oh yeah he wants his 4YR $150M deal lol," said one. 'I know we expected this but it still makes me nervous 🥲,' another fan added. 'Luka and Reaves making almost 100 mil a year combined isn't a winning team ngl gotta trade Reaves for better fits around Luka,' one user posted. 'PELINKA trade him already damn it what the hell are you doing?' one fan wrote. 'He and Rui would be packed up and traded by now if it were me,' another fan added. Related: Lakers Fans React to Russell Westbrook News on Thursday Related: Lakers Fans Excited After Unexpected Nikola Jokic Trade Message From Nuggets Owner This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 26, 2025, where it first appeared.
USA Today
a day ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Austin Reaves has turned down max contract extension offer from Lakers
Some people think the Los Angeles Lakers should or even need to trade emerging guard Austin Reaves this summer in order to become legitimate championship contenders next season. But it has seemed as if the Lakers would like to keep Reaves, and Reaves has said he wants to be a Laker for life. However, the path to him being a Laker for life has gotten more complicated. He has a player option for the 2026-27 season that he can turn down in order to become a free agent next offseason. Perhaps that is the path he is on, as he reportedly turned down a maximum contract extension offer from the team. Via The Athletic: "League sources told The Athletic that Reaves formally declined a max extension with the Lakers this week that would've paid him $89.2 million over the next four seasons," wrote Dan Woike. "He's about to start the third year of a four-year, $54 million contract he signed as a restricted free agent in 2023 — also the max number he could receive from the Lakers at the time. "He can opt out of that deal and become an unrestricted free agent next summer, when he's expected to command significantly more than the most lucrative extension the Lakers were allowed to offer this summer." Fortunately, Reaves declining that extension doesn't necessarily mean he's considering leaving the Purple and Gold. "The decision, league sources said, wasn't a reflection of Reaves and the Lakers' relationship. Instead, it's almost a foregone conclusion considering the limitations placed on the amount the Lakers were allowed to offer this week. "Reaves' upcoming potential free agency meant his name was floating in and out of rumors on the first day of the NBA Draft. The Lakers have never shown interest in trading Reaves and continue to hold him in high value." Reaves, who went undrafted in 2021 out of the University of Oklahoma, averaged 20.2 points and 5.8 assists a game and arguably played at an All-Star level, which led people to say the Lakers now had a "Big Three" of Reaves, LeBron James and Luka Doncic. The Lakers have steadfastly refused to include Reaves in any trade discussions over the last year or two.
