Lakers Should Prioritize Austin Reaves Contract Over Center Search Amid NBA Rumors
The Los Angeles Lakers and guard Austin Reaves remain "motivated to find a deal next summer," ESPN's Dave McMenamin reported.
This, despite Dan Woike of The Athletic reporting that Reaves turned down a four-year, $89.2 million contract extension over the last week.
Despite the speed bump in negotiations, the organization is right to stay motivated to get a deal done with the 27-year-old.
Yes, the Lakers are badly in need of center help. It has been well-documented, including a failed trade for Charlotte's Mark Williams. Trading Anthony Davis, who had reluctantly held down that position, in the deal for Luka Dončić did not help matters.
The lack of a big who can make up for the offensive liability that both Reaves and Dončić can be will only continue to hurt the Lakers in their pursuit of another NBA title.
With that said, Reaves is the type of long-term asset the team needs to get under contract now. Coming off a career-best season that saw him average 34.9 minutes, 20.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, 5.8 assists, while shooting 46 percent from the paint and 37.7 percent from beyond the arc.
Despite his defensive issues, he earned an opportunity and has shone as one of the key offensive contributors. The organization's reluctance, even stubbornness, to let him go in a trade is vindicated by his output.
LeBron James is not long for this Lakers squad. The King will not be around forever, and when he is gone, the team will need offensive contributors beyond Dončić. If, that is, they can convince him to re-sign before his player option kicks in for the 2026-27 season.
Letting Reaves walk, or dealing him elsewhere, leaves the cabinet bare and leaves the cabinet bare of a workhorse who can score and dish, all while eating crucial minutes.
Yes, the team badly needs a center and they can still get one by being willing to offer a package that includes a draft pick or two and, potentially, last year's first-rounder, Dalton Knecht.
For now, the Western Conference contender must focus its attention on Reaves and getting him under contract before getting Dončic taken care of. The alternative, be it letting him walk or trading him away, creates more uncertainty than not for a team with few other prospects ready to walk in and seize leadership of the team when four-time NBA champ James calls it a career.
