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Austin Reaves is about to become one of the most sought-after free agents in basketball, but all signs continue to point toward him staying exactly where he wants to be: Los Angeles.
According to NBA insider Marc Stein, the Brooklyn Nets and Detroit Pistons have both emerged as potential suitors for the Lakers guard as free agency approaches. Yet despite the outside interest, league executives remain skeptical that anyone will actually pry Reaves away from the Lakers.
“The Lakers are widely expected to re-sign Reaves,” Stein reported, citing both Reaves’ affection for Los Angeles and his growing chemistry with Luka Dončić as major factors working in the team’s favor.
That mutual interest has become one of the NBA’s worst-kept secrets.
Reaves is expected to decline his $14.9 million player option and enter unrestricted free agency in search of a massive payday.
After averaging a career-best 23.3 points, 5.5 assists and 4.7 rebounds last season, the 28-year-old has positioned himself for the biggest contract of his career.
The Nets have long been viewed as the biggest external threat. Previous reports suggested Brooklyn could have interest in offering Reaves a four-year deal worth as much as $178.5 million.
However, Stein noted there have been recent indications the Nets may prefer shorter-term contracts rather than aggressively pursuing marquee free agents this summer.
Detroit’s interest appears less concrete as well.
While Reaves would fit seamlessly alongside All-Star guard Cade Cunningham, Stein reported the Pistons are expected to focus more heavily on trade acquisitions than major free-agent spending.
Detroit also faces looming extension decisions involving young cornerstones Jalen Duren and Ausar Thompson, making a massive offer sheet for Reaves more complicated.
That leaves the Lakers in a familiar position.
Reaves has evolved from an undrafted role player into one of the franchise’s most important building blocks. His ability to score, create offense and thrive alongside stars has made him a natural fit next to Dončić, who has publicly expressed his desire to continue playing with his close friend.
The Lakers know replacing that production would be nearly impossible.
As one NBA executive recently told The Athletic, “You can’t let a talent like that walk.”
Outside teams may continue doing their homework on Reaves over the coming weeks. But unless something changes dramatically, the expectation around the league remains the same: Austin Reaves will get paid, and he’ll probably be getting paid by the Lakers.
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