Austin Reaves to leave Lakers? Potential offers from elsewhere BETTER than what LA can offer

How the Arenas Provision could make Reaves too expensive for the Lakers to keep.

Austin Reaves to leave Lakers? Potential offers from elsewhere BETTER than what LA can offer

Los Angeles Lakers' Austin Reaves (Via Yahoo Sports)

Austin Reaves has been a revelation for the Los Angeles Lakers this season. The undrafted rookie guard has emerged as a key contributor for the Lakers, showing his versatility, efficiency and, clutchness on both ends of the floor. But Reaves’ stellar play has also caught the attention of other teams around the league, who are ready to make him lucrative offers this summer when he becomes a restricted free agent.

Reaves will be a restricted free agent this summer, meaning that the Lakers can match any offers he may get from other teams. But there is a catch: Reaves is also subject to the Arenas Provision, which was created in 2005 to protect teams from losing their young players who were not drafted in the first round or signed for the minimum salary.

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The provision states that teams can only offer such players a starting salary equal to the Non-Taxpayer Mid-Level Exception, but they can increase it by up to 50% in the second year and up to the maximum salary (35% of the salary cap) in the third and fourth years.

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Reaves has shown poise and confidence in pressure situations, delivering clutch performances in the postseason. In Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals against the Nuggets, he had 23 points, along with seven rebounds and five assists.

Also Read: LeBron James, Lakers need to set an UNBELIEVABLE playoff record to rally past Nuggets 

Austin Reaves’ Future: Will he stay with the Lakers?

Austin Reaves, a.k.a. Hillbilly Kobe, speaks to reporters
Austin Reaves, a.k.a. Hillbilly Kobe, speaks to reporters (Via Harry How / Getty Images)

Reaves has three options to weigh this offseason. He could sign an offer sheet with another team that offers him more money and a bigger role, but risk losing his spot on a championship contender if the Lakers don’t match it.

He could sign a qualifying offer with the Lakers for one year ($2 million) and bet on himself to have another strong season and earn a bigger payday in 2024 when he would be an unrestricted free agent. But that would also mean taking a huge pay cut and risking injury or regression.

Or he could sign a long-term deal with the Lakers that would give him security and stability, but also limit his earning potential and flexibility. He would have to accept a lower salary than what he could get elsewhere and possibly a reduced role if the Lakers make other moves.

Reaves has said he loves playing for the Lakers and appreciates them for giving him a chance as an undrafted free agent. But he also has to look out for his best interests and his family’s future. He will have a hard choice to make this summer, one that could shape his career and his life.

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