Why Austin Reaves Needs to Be Lakers' Free Agency Priority Amid LeBron James, NBA Rumors

The Los Angeles Lakers will be faced with the task of attempting to re-sign budding superstar Austin Reaves to a long-term contract this offseason, but they storied franchise will not be without competition for the 28-year-old guard.

Dan Woike of The Athletic reported:

"Multiple front-office sources around the league, granted anonymity to freely discuss an opposing player, expect Reaves to have interest from the Brooklyn Nets, with a four-year, $178.5 million contract expected to be offered. League sources said the Detroit Pistons and Atlanta Hawks are among a group of interested teams that can create space to make competitive offers. Other teams could also emerge."

The Lakers will almost certainly be looking for pieces to build around Luka Doncic, and Marc Stein and Jake Fischer reported that LeBron James would prefer to stay with the Lakers because "he is so entrenched" in the franchise.

Acquiring new pieces and affording LeBron when "10-12 teams" are interested in him according to agent Rich Paul during an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, all while managing to re-sign Reaves may appear daunting but doing so can accomplish two of the tasks simultaneously.

The University of Oklahoma export has proven chemistry with Doncic. He experienced his best season as a pro while evolving into Los Angeles' No. 2 this past season, averaging 23.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, 5.5 assists, and 1.1 steals, and shooting 45.9 percent from beyond the arc.

He fits seamlessly into head coach JJ Redick's system and he was instrumental in helping the Lakers shake off a sluggish start and emerge as a top-three seed in the West.

Yes, there are concerns about his lackluster performance in the postseason. He was down in nearly every category and underwhelmed when his team needed it most.

Time will tell if that is an exception or the rule moving forward but what he has repeatedly proven on the court, despite being woefully underpaid in relation to his output, has earned him the confidence and trust of the organization.

He is a proven commodity, with establish chemistry with the centerpiece. He offers the front office a piece they know, as opposed to the uncertainty that comes with paying free agents big money in hopes that they come in and gel with the superstar.

The Lakers' playoff hopes hinge on re-signing Reaves, then adding affordable, complimentary pieces around him and Doncic. As for James, if he wants to return and a reunion can be had at the right price, even better.