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Austin Reaves is the ultimate homegrown success story in a city that loves Hollywood narratives.
He went from being a country bumpkin who grew up in Newark, Ark., amid a population of fewer than 2,000 people to becoming a star in a global metropolis.
He went from being undrafted in 2021 to agreeing to a four-year, $185 million deal with the Lakers, the richest contract for a player who went undrafted in NBA history.
It’s a great story. Things have worked out beautifully for Reaves, who’s a rising star and is genuinely as likeable as he appears on TV. But it’s fair to ask … can the Lakers win a championship with over $100 million a season going to him and Luka Doncic for the next several years?
In other words, was it smart for the Lakers to spend that much money when they desperately need to build out their roster?
The answer?
The Lakers couldn’t risk losing Reaves for a number of reasons.
He’s on the verge of becoming an All-Star-caliber player. When he and Doncic share the court, their chemistry is undeniable. Doncic loves him. And other teams were willing to pay top dollar for him, including Detroit.
Does this mean the Lakers need to spend the rest of the offseason acquiring defenders and shooters around them? Yes. Do they desperately need a rim protector? Yes. But was spending that type of money on Reaves the right call? Yes.
The sticker value is shocking, especially considering Reaves will earn more next season ($41.3 million) than guys like Jalen Brunson ($37.7 million) and Tyrese Maxey ($40.7 million).
But the Lakers made the right call. Not only is Reaves a great player, but he’s the Lakers’ glue.
Reaves is coming off a breakout season. He announced his meteoric rise with back-to-back 51- and 41-point performances in the first few games.
He helped the Lakers jump to a 15-4 start while LeBron James missed the first 14 games because of sciatica. He was arguably the best No. 2 offensive option in the league.
He was pivotal in the Lakers’ 16-2 run last spring. One of the biggest highlights of the season happened during that stretch when he purposely missed a free throw, caught his rebound and made a jumper to force overtime in the Lakers’ 127-125 win over the Nuggets on March 14.
Reaves and Doncic looked so good during a three-game stretch over that period that the basketball world even began questioning whether the Lakers were better without James, who’s arguably the greatest player of all-time.
Reaves was one of only 15 players to average 23 points and five assists last season, and he did it while sharing the ball with Doncic and James. He had a true shooting percentage of over 64%.
This was a no-brainer for the Lakers. They had no choice. They couldn’t risk losing Reaves.
Not when he skyrocketed into being so reliable on offense. Not when he grew into such a great complement for Doncic. And especially not after it became clear that he’s one of Doncic’s lifelines in Los Angeles.
Aside from the tangibles of how well those two play together, there’s another reason retaining Reaves was of paramount importance.
Reaves makes Doncic feel at home in Los Angeles. They tease each other. They joke with one another. They’ve become brothers who show their affection for one another through loving jabs.
Reaves is a great player. He has what he describes as “delirious confidence.” He’s fearless. But he’s also a chemistry generator in human form.
James loved him as soon as he entered the Lakers’ locker room. Doncic gravitated toward him. Heck, even Steve Kerr saw it when he coached Reaves during the World Cup. “You can tell that everybody loves playing with him,” Kerr said, adding that that’s a rare quality.
For the Lakers, retaining Reaves was a must. They needed to do whatever it took. And his monster contract won’t interfere with their cap space. They’ll be able to spend their about $50 million and then go over the cap to re-sign him.
In other words, they can still load the roster with defensive-minded players. They can still get shooters. They can still try to plug their holes to compete with the Thunders and Spurs in the very crowded Western Conference.
For the Lakers, retaining Reaves was their top priority this offseason. He’s a difference-maker on and off the court. He’s essential to what they’re trying to build. Is he the best two-way player in the league? No. But is he an offensive wizard whose impact extends beyond what box scores can measure? Undeniably.
It’s one of the most wild ascensions we’ve seen.
He has gone from being a no-name guy to one of the most important players on the league’s second-winningest franchise with 17 NBA championships to its name.
He has gone from clawing his way into the league to becoming the 30th-highest average paid NBA player.
And he deserves every penny of it.
Doncic wants him. The Lakers need him. And they still have enough money to build out their roster.
Reaves, you’ve been in Los Angeles for a while.
But you’ve officially become the ultimate Hollywood tale.
English (US)