In an interview with Sam Yip of HoopsHype, Lakers guard Austin Reaves admits being relieved to not have to worry about his NBA future after signing a long-term contract this summer.
Reaves started on a two-way deal with L.A. after going undrafted in 2021. That gave him a path to cash in after two productive seasons, which he did by landing a four-year, $53.8MM deal.
“That’s kind of how it’s always been my whole life,” Reaves said. “I’ve really bet on myself and really always just knew I needed an opportunity. Just put my foot down and the rest will take care of itself. I’ll figure out something to do and to at least be on the team and help the team so that was really it and hell yeah, it’s a big relief.”
Reaves also discusses the Lakers’ productive offseason, which included the additions of Gabe Vincent, Taurean Prince and Jaxson Hayes. He believes the team is positioned to make another run at a title after reaching the conference finals last season.
“I feel really, really good about what we did,” Reaves said. “You bring back the core that went to the Western Conference Finals and those pieces fit really well with what we kinda need because we lacked that last year. Overall, everybody’s competitive, and we kinda got that taste last year of running it back and trying to win a championship.”
There’s more from the Pacific Division:
- Kings guard De’Aaron Fox is coming off his best NBA season, and teammate Davion Mitchell believes he’s ready to become an MVP candidate, per Tristi Rodriguez of NBC Sports Bay Area. Mitchell touted Fox’s credentials during a recent appearance on the “Deuce and Mo” podcast. “He’s talking more. He’s being a leader,” Mitchell said. “We already know what he can do on the floor, he’s playing defense more, he’s guarding the best players, he’s doing that type of stuff. And when you got a player like that at that level, playing a lot of minutes, a young player, I think we’re going to be tough to beat. He’s shooting the ball really well, little things like that that he’s added to his game that makes him a top player in our league.”
- New general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. is more comfortable with the Warriors‘ roster after the team targeted veteran players in several offseason transactions, according to Dalton Johnson of NBC Sports Bay Area. “I really like the balance,” he said on the “Dubs Talk” podcast. “I think it’s got a good combination of veteran experience, a middle tier of guys that are good, they’re tough, they’re hungry, and we got some good young players. And I don’t think we have too many young players.”
- The Warriors have announced several moves involving the coaching staff and front office (Twitter link). The team confirmed that Chuck Hayes will be its new director of basketball operations and revealed that Kris Weems has been promoted to assistant coach.
Warriors roster looks better than last year when they went after players that had very little upside. Warriors will miss Donte but not the other players that are gone.
I agree…..remember…the non-curry minutes, and TURNOVERS were what plagued them last year. thats been addressed
They used their 2 way players way too much last year showed how bad that team was. A lot of people forget that Wiggins was out for over half the year so just having him back is a big plus.
great point, sir….obviously you watched the games and paid attention…..refreshing
The Warriors had their best stretch of games when Draymond came in with the 2nd unit.
Wow. Somebody else remembers that the Warriors were the worst ball handling, turnovers, team in the Association last year. And Poole was the worst of them. Maybe he’ll get it together in DC.