Rivals can shut down Photoshop and spare any jersey swaps, because Austin Reaves will remain picture perfect donning the purple and gold.
The undrafted star will continue his journey with the Los Angeles Lakers on a four-year, $185 million max contract, as first reported by ESPN’s Shams Charania.
Here to Stay: Austin Reaves to Re-Sign With Lakers on 4-Year Max Deal
The Lakers’ re-signing of Reaves ends a saga that was, in some ways, over before it began. President/GM Rob Pelinka expressed a desire to retain Reaves at his end-of-season press conference, and the 28-year-old guard shared similar sentiments weeks later. Despite reports that the Brooklyn Nets, Detroit Pistons and Atlanta Hawks were interested in the fifth-year guard, Reaves’ loyalty to Los Angeles has been rewarded, as he seeks to cement himself as the ideal backcourt partner next to Luka Doncic.
In 51 games (45 starts), Reaves averaged a career-best 23.3 points, 4.7 rebounds and 5.5 assists while shooting 49% from the field, 36% from 3-point range and 87.1% from the free-throw line. Despite another year of growth, he was sidelined with calf strains throughout the regular season before a Grade 2 oblique strain kept him out for most of the playoffs. Upon his return in Game 5 against the Houston Rockets, Reaves remained effective and helped keep the ship afloat, averaging 20.0 points, 4.0 rebounds and 5.8 assists in six playoff games.
What may make Reaves’ commitment all the more impressive is Doncic’s role in lobbying for his co-star. According to The Athletic’s Dan Woike and Sam Amick, Doncic “made it clear to the Lakers” that he wanted Reaves to stick around. Well, he gets his wish for the next four years, as LA revamps its roster around the team’s new franchise cornerstone and his top-tier running mate.
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