NBA Rumors: Lakers 'determined' to keep Austin Reaves by all means necessary
This season, the Lakers role players, particularly Austin Reaves, have delivered some notable performances. The Lakers organization has a number of extensions and contracts to address, and there are rumors that they will extend Reaves' contract. He signed a two-year contract as an undrafted free agent back in August 2021.
Reaves is set to become a restricted free agent this summer as Marc Stein wrote an article for "The Stein Line," detailing the rumors.
“There is frankly no scenario, based on what I know, that Reaves won't be a Laker next season," Stein said.
Austin Reaves is one of the best surprises for the LA Lakers in their rollercoaster of a season. He started out as a bench player that was tasked to move the ball around and be ready to catch and shoot 3-pointers.
But during the team's stretch in the season, wherein LeBron was out for 11 games, Reaves' game exploded into what it is today.
He appeared in 64 games during the regular season, averaging 13.0 points (52.9% shooting, including 39.8% from 3-point range) and 3.4 assists. He set a career-high on March 20 against the Magic, when he scored 35 points off the bench.
Meanwhile, in the Lakers' postseason run, he is averaging 16.9 points per game (45.9% shooting, including 44.2% from 3-point range), 4.7 assists per game, and 4.6 rebounds per game.
With his improved production and value to the roster, LA will consider contract extensions to retain him on the team.
Lakers' Austin Reaves on team's chances down 3-0 to the Denver Nuggets
Following the Game 3 loss at home, Austin Reaves spoke to the media about how the team responded down 3-0.
"Obviously, right now you're pissed off with how the outcome has gone the last three games," Reaves said. "Our backs been against the wall about probably the last two months, maybe more than that since the trade deadline. Go watch film tomorrow and we can either come out Monday and go home or fight for another day."
In this third-round matchup against the Nuggets, Reaves is averaging 22.7 points(55.0% shooting, including 56.5% from 3-point range), 6.0 assists, and 4.0 rebounds per game.
Outside of LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and Austin Reaves, the team could use more contributions from the rest of the team tonight.
Similar to what Reaves said to the media the Lakers have to play with a sense of desperation mirroring to how they have been all season long.