Austin Reaves went into free agency hoping to re-sign with the Lakers, but he considered both the Rockets and Spurs before the process began. Reaves explained his approach in an appearance on Showtime’s “All the Smoke” with Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson (video link).
“I really wanted to be in L.A. the whole time,” Reaves said. “There were a couple of situations that were close, but like I said, I really wanted to be in L.A. L.A. feels like home to me so that’s really where I wanted to be.”
Reaves was a restricted free agent, and the Lakers were limited to an offer of about $54MM over four years with his Early Bird rights. Because of the Arenas provision, L.A. would have been able to match a larger offer sheet from another team, and both Houston and San Antonio had enough cap room to give Reaves a contract that could have made it a tough decision. Both teams decided to spend their money in other areas, so L.A. was able to keep the 25-year-old shooting guard at a relative bargain price.
There’s more on the Lakers:
- In the same interview (video link), Reaves discusses Russell Westbrook, who had a stormy tenure with the team before being traded in February. Westbrook became a controversial figure during his time with the Lakers, but Reaves only had good things to say about him. “He’s one of the best teammates I’ve ever had,” Reaves said. “As a person, you can’t get much better. … He was always empowering everybody to be better and do better and want more.”
- Colin Castleton would love to eventually be promoted from his two-way contract to the 15-man roster, but he told Lakers Nation that he’s more concerned with improving his game and learning as much as possible from his veteran teammates. “I was focused on killing Summer League, and I feel like I did a good job there,” Castleton said. “Now I can focus on getting ready for training camp and put myself in the right mindset so I can have an opportunity later in the year. That’s my mindset.”
- In case you missed it, the Lakers are among several teams with interest in veteran forward Rudy Gay, who was waived by the Thunder on Thursday.
Yes Austin, you are Him. Keep on shooting that rock.
As a Cav’s fan I hope the Lakers sign Rudy Gay. That would allow the Cav’s to perhaps do a sign and trade deal for Christian Wood. He would be a nice floor spacer to spell Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen. Wood is not at their level defensively but he is no slouch there either. He was not the reason the Mavericks defense fell apart. In all his prior stops his Rebounding and Shot blocking were both above average. Rudy Gay isn’t bad but a little old to mesh with the Cav’s core unit. He’d be an excellent pick up for a team that could win it all this year. The Cavaliers have a a 3 year window before contract issues will make it impossible to keep the core 4 together. At that point with Mitchell and Garland already being on max deals Mobley and Allen may also be eligible. Mobley will get one and at the very least Allen will be due a raise. The hope is that by then guys like Isaiah Mobley and Emoni Bates will be ready and they can deal 1 or 2 of the core 4 and keep going.
Just because one chases blocks does not make one a good defender.
He’s a locker room menace, that’s why he’s not signed
His teammates actually seem to like him off the court from what I can tell. On the court, not so much with his brand of iso-happy, no defense ball.
There is a reason why Christian Wood is still available. Give Jason Kidd some credit here. This time last year, everybody was talking about how Christian Wood could be a real difference-maker for Dallas playing with Luka. The Porzingis replacement that was gonna be a better fit. From jump, Jason Kidd stated that Wood wasn’t even currently in his starting lineup. He then proceeded to play his way out of the rotation.
Wood is a guy who bounced around in G-League, and was a 10-day contract guy. Worked hard and earned his spot. However, he has now been proven to be a Get Stats on Bad Teams Guy. Put him in a situation where a team is trying to compete, and you will struggle to get meaningful minutes out of him. Bad locker room guy keeps further adds to why he is available. Can’t put him around vets. Can’t put him around kids.
Jarrett Allen will be dealt to move Mobley to the 5 where they feel he can be more effective, and to find more space on the floor. They struggled in a huge way to score points against the Knicks in the Playoffs.
I agree I think that’s something they will eventually explore. This day and age. It’s tough to play twin towers. And they can get a lot for Allen. A young solid rim protector behind Mobley is all they need. Like Sims from Knicks.
I doubt you know the loclkerooms lol.
Wood has always played for the money . And was not shy about it. No one has been able to control that and show him the way. Some players never learn, I get that. But teams also miss on raising good players. These are kids who become young men. With high expectations and privileged. Not easy to handle. I’ve been watching Wood since Knicks scouted him on Detroit. He’s got real talent. Just not a good team player. And this is a Team game.
Gay can help as depth. Any playoff team can use him.
Always liked Westbrook. But in a lot of ways. He’s his own worst enemy. It’s probably too late to change now. But he had a productive yr in LA. It’s why I wonder why they would want Harden. Harden is the one who ran him out of Houston. I’m Westbrook I would never play with that waste.
I think most nba players like Westbrook. He plays with heart. Calling him a locker room cancer seems a bit harsh. His style of party needs to adjust but I don’t think any teammate ever called him a cancer
Can’t believe nobody made the Lakers pay up. Absolute negligence by the Spurs.