Source: https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/45900688/how-lakers-build-luka-fits-options-lebron-future

‘I think he will get $30 [million] plus,’ one executive told ESPN, echoing multiple front office sources who were asked about the next deal Reaves could command. The expectation, from both that executive and others, is that Reaves ultimately will return to Los Angeles, which would cement Reaves' role as the long-term running mate next to Doncic in L.A.'s backcourt — the role once held by Brunson then Irving in Dallas.

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I don’t think Reaves is ever going to be the level of player Irving or Brunson were/are. Just for context, James Harden makes $36M per year and was just All-NBA and helped lead the Clippers to 50 wins with Kawhi Leonard only playing in 37 games (half of those while he was on a minutes restriction). Could Reaves have done that? I’m not so sure.

Outside of his first playoff series in the 2022-23 season, Reaves has seen a significant drop statistically from his regular season averages. In the playoffs for the 2023-24 season and the 2024-25 season he was a cumulative -46 in his minutes on the court.

42 comments

  2. I think a backcourt of Doncic/Reeves is tough in terms of long term championship contention.

  3. As great as Luka is, I dont see a team winning the NBA finals with Reaves as 2nd option.

    The offense will be a black hole every time he sits

  4. Reaves is a good 3rd option, but once bron retires, can he reliably stay at second option to Luka? And can the offensive impact he bring offset his defensive weaknesses? Just curious to see how lakers would now build around Luka with in general

  5. I’m not comparing Reaves to Caruso, but we can’t afford to let go of stars, unless we’re getting a huge upgrade, which I doubt.

  6. I think Reaves should be traded while his stock is still high. I don’t see him as a second option on a contending team at all. But maybe that’s just me.

  7. Sign him and worry about $ later. No one can afford to let good players walk anymore at mid money. So many players never hit the open market.

  8. They are gunna overpay AR then trade him for Scottie Barnes the moment Lebron retires.

  12. Curious to see Lakers fans react to this. I think half their sub think Reaves is part of the future and the other half think he is a bum and Rob is a fool for not trading him. But Rob was pretty clear in his end of season press conference that he would not trade Reaves.

  14. Tough situation for sure. But the lakers aren’t poor anymore. So idk. Fans love him, I love him but the lakers aren’t winning if he’s the 2nd option.

  15. > I don’t think Reaves is ever going to be the level of player Irving or Brunson were/are. Just for context, James Harden makes $36M per year and was just All-NBA and helped lead the Clippers to 50 wins with Kawhi Leonard only playing in 37 games (half of those while he was on a minutes restriction).

    Harden was cheap due to age and injury related reasons. Besides, he just signed a 2 year 81 million contract so what you said is not even accurate anymore.

  16. Sign him and if it doesn’t work trade him later you cant let home walk for nothing

  18. Considering the new max is almost 75 million a year, 30 million for Reeves isn’t bad.

  19. Lakers starting backcourt duo is going to be a defensive black hole lmfao. Reaves is a solid role player at best, definitely not a second option once Bron ends his time in LA.

  20. I’m kinda being serious but what year do you think was the last time that a franchise having success had two white guys as their two stars? Nash and Dirk? And before that idek

  22. That’s a pretty rough defensive back court. Doesn’t get much worse actually.

  23. He’s not a robin to a Batman. Honestly keeps Luka from reaching the finals if they’re expecting him to be that guy. It’s a good day if you’re a laker hater

  26. Harden made more with other teams as the guy on his teams prior. But 30-35M is equivalent to 15-20M many years ago

  27. Austin is a good player but if your backcourt is built around him and Luka you better have an elite rim protector and long armed perimeter defenders who stick to their guys like glue otherwise they’re looking at a lot of drives to the rim

  28. Second star? Wouldn’t he have to be a star to qualify as that? He’s good, but he’s never been All-NBA, or an All-Star.

  33. I never care what a guy makes. It’s a market. My take is I love AR, but idk if he’s a second option on a chip or deep run team. Thinking more 3rd/4th option.

  35. He really should be the 6th man. They could have staggered starts for him and Luka to beat up the other team’s bench.

  36. Yeah having a backcourt that cant play lick of defense surely wont backfire

  37. He beat Indiana as the number one and came close in Denver. I think he could get to 50 if he had guys like zubac and powell with him.

  42. As good as AR is, he is the absolute worst to pair with Luka. Smart is actually a better fit. Too bad Smart is almost past his prime.

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