NBA Rumors: The team that could "steal" Austin Reaves from the Lakers
We are talking about some players who may not continue with Luka Doncic in the Los Angeles franchise in the medium term
NBA Rumors: Austin Reaves faces a pivotal season in his career. The 27-year-old shooting guard is on track to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season, as everything indicates he will reject his player option valued at $14.9 million. As reported by Anthony Irwin on Clutch Points, one of the teams most interested in acquiring his services would be San Antonio Spurs, which has him on their radar as a possible reinforcement for the future.
Reaves would seek a new contract in the range of $30 to $35 million annually, a figure that poses a delicate scenario for Los Angeles Lakers. Losing him without getting anything in return would be a tough blow to absorb, so Irwin believes that the Los Angeles franchise should consider drastic measures: "They would be making a mistake if they don't consider trading him at some point this season, especially if it becomes clear that he and Doncic have physical limitations too difficult to overcome in the quest for a championship."
Nevertheless, the Lakers' priority is to maintain the duo formed by Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves in the long term. The Slovenian has already been secured with a contract extension, and if the season progresses as expected, the team's intention would be to offer Reaves a new deal that ensures his continuity in the project. Notably, during the summer, they refused to include him in any trade unless the return was a top-tier superstar.
The interest from the Spurs sets up an intriguing scenario. The Texas franchise boasts a backcourt loaded with talent and potential: De’Aaron Fox as the starting point guard, Stephon Castle—Rookie of the Year—holding the shooting guard position, and Dylan Harper, the second pick in the 2025 draft, guaranteed minutes in the rotation. Reaves' arrival would further complicate the distribution of roles, as although he could play as a small forward, his height of 1.96 meters makes him a slightly undersized three. This would necessitate considering the departure of players like Devin Vassell or Keldon Johnson to make room for him.
Reaves' progression backs him as a highly coveted piece. Last season, he had the best campaign of his career, averaging 20.2 points, 5.8 assists, and 4.5 rebounds, along with a 37.7% three-point shooting accuracy, playing 73 games as a starter. His development over the past three years has established him as a rising player, capable of making an impact both offensively and in playmaking, and now he is gearing up to make one of the most significant decisions in his professional career.
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