A senior NBA Insider has stated that the LA Lakers have an even bigger problem than the LeBron James situation awaiting them.
Since losing in the first round of the playoffs to the Minnesota Timberwolves, a lot has changed for the LA Lakers.
LeBron James announced that he would be taking the player option on his contract, which means the 40-year-old will be a free agent next season.
The team’s ownership also changed as Jeanie Buss sold the majority stakes of the franchise to Mark Walter, who since his arrival has also overseen the extension of Slovenian talent Luka Doncic.
After his blockbuster trade from the Dallas Mavericks, it has become clear that Doncic is the new face of the Lakers, but he has expressed his desire to continue playing alongside James.
He also wants to continue playing alongside another star on the team, but that will depend on how he plays next season.
Austin Reaves’ performance will be key to the LA Lakers’ future
Austin Reaves declined a five-year $90 million contract the Lakers offered him last month, but he did that because the 27-year-old could earn more if he signs next season.
His contract has a player option after the 2025-26 season and he is likely to opt out and enter free agency to seek a bigger deal.
Doncic has loved playing alongside Reaves and if the franchise wants to keep their franchise star happy, they might have to offer the undrafted player a contract when he becomes a free agent.
Speaking on the Reaves situation, Bontemps said: “For all the talk about LeBron, whatever is going to happen with his future, the Austin Reaves question could be the one that has a much bigger bearing on the championship ceiling and window of the Lakers over the next few years, because you’re not signing him to a one or two year deal.
“He’s getting a long term deal at a big number, and then you’ll have Luka. You build around him and Luka, assuming that he stays there.”
Reaves had a breakout regular season, but his performance in the series against the Timberwolves in the playoffs was disappointing.
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Bontemps added: “I do think that subplot throughout the season is going to be very interesting to watch, particularly after he really struggled in the Minnesota series.
“For all the attention on the Lakers this year and all the focus on Luka’s future and everything else, how Austin Reaves plays this season, and particularly, assuming they get to the playoffs, how he plays in the playoffs, is going to be an awfully interesting story to follow.
And it’s going to potentially have a big bearing on the Lakers’ summer next summer, and their seasons beyond that.”
Austin Reaves can play a key role on the Lakers
Many analysts have highlighted how Reaves would need to play a role Jalen Brunson played alongside Doncic when the duo were together on the Mavericks.
While Reaves has not proven that he has the abilities Brunson possesses, the 27-year-old stepped up when the team needed him last season.
He took over games when Doncic and James were absent, which is what helped him win praise from many, including James Worthy.
Entering the fifth year of his career, there is no doubt that Reaves will be one of the players to watch as far as the Lakers are concerned.
James and Doncic will obviously be the stars, but the four-time champion is probably playing his last year in LA and once he moves out, it is Reaves who will be Doncic’s running mate.
