Austin seems like one of those players, where if he goes to small market team like the Pelicans, he wouldn't go to the line nearly as much.
On the numbers real quick. Lakers can offer him a max of a) 4 years: $185.9m (avg ~$46.5m / yr) b) 5 years: $241.0m (avg ~48.2m / yr) A non-Lakers team with max space (a Jazz next season for example) a) 4 years: ($44.6m / yr) b) 5 years (n/a - cannot) Austin is age 27 currently. That next contract (his big pay day) will take him through the remainder of his physical prime Age 28 through 32. Lakers might low ball at the beginning, but other teams can drive up the price, which Lakers could still beat. With Lebron off the books, they have maybe 70ish m to play with to fill out the rest of roster.
Austin Reaves is definitely legit. I don't like that he's a foul-baiter and plays for the Lakers, but that doesn't influence my opinion of his game. Lakers will not let him go. Period. End of story. I also seriously doubt he wants to leave because LA has long been the favorite city of NBA players. Is he worth nearly $50M x 5 years starting in 2026? Based on his production so far this season, yes, but he won't keep it up.
Sure, but both are massively reliant on flopping and getting calls. Take away shai’s flopping and they don’t win the title last year.
i have always had a healthy amount of dislike for that pasty redneck. i hope the lakers sign him to a super max. would help keep hate alive.
