Here’s How Much The Lakers Are Willing To Pay For Playoff Star Austin Reaves

Austin Reaves stands on the court during the NBA Playoffs.

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The Los Angeles Lakers made a surprise run through the NBA Playoffs in 2023, reaching the Western Conference Finals before falling to the Nuggets. A big reason for that run was Austin Reaves.

The second-year guard averaged 16.9 points a game in the postseason, becoming a legitimate third scoring threat alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis.

Now, though, he becomes a restricted free agent meaning other teams can make offers to the 25-year-old star. Los Angeles can choose to match in order to keep him put.

We now have a better idea of how far the Lakers are willing to go in order to make that happen.

Javon Buha of The Athletic reports that the team is willing to pay upwards of $100 million to keep Reaves on the roster.

“The Lakers are going to match any contract offer sheet that he signs up to that $100 million,” Buha said on the HoopsHype podcast. “The Lakers view him as the third-best player on this team if you look at the regular season and postseason he had.”

Reaves certainly earned that title of third-best option after that playoff run, but not everyone believes the team should overspend to keep him.

Check out the immediate social media reaction to the news.

One person wrote, “Dude’s gonna get his bag and then dip like Jordan Poole.” Poole landed a $140 million extension last October, but he disappeared at times throughout the season.

Another follower said, “Overpay,” while someone else commented, “That’s a lot of money based on a playoff performance.”

Austin Reaves showed his potential this past postseason, and it’s clear the Lakers will make him a priority in restricted free agency. How much is too much? We might soon find out.