There aren’t many free agents who have a shot at back-burnering LeBron James. When it comes to the Lakers, though, you’d have to imagine their first priority is not a short-term commitment with the King but rather a long-term agreement with their breakout guard.
Reaves didn’t make his All-Star debut this season, but his numbers are among the richest you’ll find among NBA non-stars: 23.5 points, 5.6 assists and 4.7 rebounds. The 27-year-old can absolutely fill it up with three-level scoring, and when he’s asked to create offense for others, he has shown that part of his bag, too.
Defense is not a strength (to put it politely), and his three-ball is more good than great, but he is borderline elite at the offensive end. And despite approaching his 28th birthday, he still has a chance to improve, since this is only his fifth NBA season.
The Lakers aren’t letting go of a shooting star like this. Once he declines his $14.9 million player option, expect him to quickly circle back to L.A. on a max deal.
Prediction: Reaves re-signs with the Lakers for five years and $241 million.