The Lakers are still trying to find the right balance of players to put around star Luka Doncic, and they have an important offseason ahead of them, with Austin Reaves and LeBron James both testing the waters of unrestricted free agency.
Signs seem to be pointing to the Lakers retaining Reaves, according to Marc Stein of the Stein Line (subscriber link). Stein notes the developing partnership between the 28-year-old guard and Doncic, which the Lakers appear to view as the cornerstone combination they will build the team around.
While there have been previous reports that the Nets could offer Reaves a max contract and that the Pistons were interested in him as a shooter and ball-handler next to Cade Cunningham, Stein notes that there is a sense that the Nets would rather give out short-term deals if they decide to be aggressive in free agency.
He adds that the Pistons appear more likely to look to fill the holes in their roster via trade than via free agency, so as not to risk complicating their books ahead of Jalen Duren‘s free agency and Ausar Thompson‘s extension eligibility.
We have more news from around the NBA:
- There are still three teams without a coach, but that is expected to change soon. Stein reports that the Bulls could announce their next head coach as soon as Monday. As Stein and Jake Fischer reported earlier this week, Micah Nori (Wolves), Tiago Splitter (Blazers), Ryan Schmidt (Hawks), and Wes Unseld Jr. (Bulls) are considered the four finalists for the position.
- The Raptors quietly interviewed former Mavericks president Donnie Nelson as well as former Toronto Coach of the Year Dwane Casey last year during their front office search that eventually led to the hiring of Bobby Webster, who was recently extended, Stein reveals, while confirming previous rumors that head coach Darko Rajakovic is expected to be agreed upon imminently. Stein also notes that Patrick Englebrecht, Toronto’s director of global scouting and international affairs, could see himself alongside Mavs president Masai Ujiri once more, as Ujiri continues to build out the team’s front office.
- The Mavs are moving forward with their search for a head coach and reportedly held interviews throughout this weekend. As has previously been reported, the list of Mavs candidates includes Nori, Royal Ivey (Rockets), Jama Mahlalela (Raptors), Tony Dobbins (Celtics), and former Blazers coach Terry Stotts.
Reaves might prefer a short term deal. If Nets offered a 3-year max deal, with the 3rd year a player option, Reaves would be guaranteed $130 million, and could potentially out after 2 years to chase a supermax contract. Just saying.
He won’t ever be getting a supermax from anybody
Reeves isn’t eligible for a supermarket, or worthy of one, especially under the new cap rules. Only the Kings would consider maxing him out.
You are right. The Supermax is the 35% level. What I meant to say is he could get to the 30% level on his next contract. Which I guess is called the Veteran Max.