The Los Angeles Lakers are gearing up for the playoffs, riding the momentum of a nine-game winning streak before a stumble against the Detroit Pistons. As they look ahead, the Lakers are also preparing for a pivotal offseason, with plans to offer Austin Reaves a substantial contract.
Rumor has it that the Lakers are ready to put a five-year, $240 million deal on the table for Reaves, ensuring they retain the promising guard who’s expressed his desire to stay with the Purple and Gold for the long haul.
As the playoffs loom, Reaves is expected to play a crucial role, potentially taking on responsibilities akin to those of Jamal Murray. The big question is whether Reaves can become the primary scoring option when sharing the court with LeBron, especially when Luka isn’t in the mix. And when all three are playing, it’ll be interesting to see if Luka and LeBron can step back and let Reaves shine, similar to how Denver managed its playoff hierarchy with Murray and Porter Jr.
One area of concern for Reaves is his tendency to settle for outside shots, which isn’t playing to his strengths or the Lakers’ needs. While his three-point shooting is important, over-relying on it means missing out on driving opportunities. The Lakers need Reaves to be more assertive in attacking the basket, a point emphasized by analysts who hope he’ll adjust before the playoffs kick off.
Reaves is a savvy player, and there’s confidence he’ll make the necessary adjustments. The Lakers will rely heavily on him, especially given the defensive focus likely to be placed on Luka Doncic.
With a significant contract potentially on the horizon, Reaves needs to deliver a strong postseason performance. For the Lakers to have a successful playoff run, his aggressive play and ability to attack the basket will be crucial.