Unexpected talent Austin Reaves has been the top priority for the Los Angeles Lakers to retain in the current offseason. He was heading towards free agency. But unlike D’Angelo Russell, Reaves was a restricted free agent. Hence, the risk was less of losing him. However, after the unbelievable rise to the starting lineup of Austin Reaves, many teams could jump on the occasion to acquire him. Moreover, the Lakers had trouble with a lack of cap space due to the presence of LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
Hence, teams like San Antonio Spurs, Orlando Magic, or Houston Rockets with bigger cap space could easily offer a much better deal to Reaves. But fortunately for the Lakers, they did not have to compete too hard to retain the Oklahoma Sooners kid. They got a pretty good deal to keep Austin Reaves. It proves that AR has become the third most essential player of the Lakers after LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Recently, Austin Reaves gave an interview with the podcast, The Old Man & The Three, where he reveals why the Lakers have gotten better.
Austin Reaves Feel Fluidity Can Help The Team Get More Scary And Lethal
According to Austin Reaves, continuity and the ability to form a deeper level of chemistry during the training camps are the secrets of the Laker’s success. Austin Reaves mentioned via the Lakers Nation that they got better after managing to keep the core together, along with signing players like Gabe Vincent. Getting a player like Vincent means a lot because the Miami Heat reached the finals last season. Moreover, Gabe Vincent is a super-competitor.
On top of that, Austin Reaves emphasized fluidity. The Oklahoma Sooners kid explained that he is full of excitement to get back to work in the offseason. And also for the preseason to acquire some valid fluidity. When players had to play with members they had never played with, they kind of did freestyle. The Lakers were able to do that last season. However, Austin Reaves feels if that adds with fluidity, then it can be lethal and scary.
Lakers Were Pretty Good At Retaining Reaves, Russell And Hachimura
Reaves will be part of the Lakers for the next four years with a contract worth $56 million. Other than Reaves, the Los Angeles Lakers have been brilliant this offseason. They retained Rui Hachimura, who was also a restricted free agent like Reaves. The Gonzaga product will get $51 million for three years. Hence, it is a pretty good deal for the former Washington Wizards player. Later, the player who had a high chance of moving on to another team, D’Angelo Russell, got a two-year deal from the 17-time champions.
Hence, Rob Pelinka and his front office deservingly got high praise for their activities in the current off-season. The front office previously did a great job before the February trade deadline this year to bring balance and stability to the roster. That’s what changed the fortune of the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2022-23 season. They got to reach the Western Conference Finals as well. Hence, the front office planned to keep the core together in any way possible. That’s what they successfully accomplished.
