Lakers' Austin Reaves facing tenuous contract situation

Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves is having a breakout season so far, averaging a career-high 26.6 points per game.

But his contract situation is looming over the Lakers, who are under pressure to make big moves ahead of February's trade deadline.

Clutch Points NBA reporter Brett Siegel discussed Reaves' situation Tuesday on the "Clutch Scoops" podcast. He said rival teams are beginning to wonder about Reaves if he hits the open market.

“Reaves is just a very interesting scenario that keeps getting brought up when we talk to rival teams around the league," Siegel said. "It’s hard to imagine the Lakers will trade him, but he will most likely opt-out and enter free agency as one of the better guys on the market. Teams are going to pursue him."

Reaves is making $13.7 million this season and has a $14.8M player option next season. He'll likely decline his option and pursue a max contract. 

"Will the Lakers give him the full max? Does he want to be the number two, to Luka Doncic in LA long term? Or will he pull a Jalen Brunson to leave to be a star elsewhere?"

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Sigel later said that he doesn't expect the Lakers to trade Reaves, but that they may listen to offers if they're hesitant to give him a big pay day.

"If they are hesitant about offering him a max deal, and they are concerned that he could look at other offers in the offseason, I think you have to do you due diligence to see what the can potentially give you.”

It will be a moot point if the team and Reaves quickly agree to a deal, but it's worth monitoring as the Lakers search the trade market for upgrades.

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