NBA Rumors: Lakers won’t let 1 key free agent leave this offseason

The Los Angeles Lakers are on the brink of playoff elimination but the latest free agency rumors suggest there’s one free agent they won’t let leave. 

It’s not looking great for the Los Angeles Lakers to make it back to the NBA Finals for the first time in 2020 after they dropped Game 3 at home to the Nuggets on Saturday night. They now face an 0-3 deficit and the weight of history if they are going to shirk that narrative.

More likely, though, it’s already time for the Lakers to start eyeing the offseason, which is apparently something that’s already starting within the organization. Specifically, a new report suggests that LA has its eyes on free agency and one pending free agent they aren’t going to let out of Southern California: Austin Reaves.

Appearing on the Hoop Collective podcast this weekend, ESPN insider Brian Windhorst said, “There’s no way they’re letting [Austin Reaves] walk” in free agency this offseason.

Windhorst noted that the Lakers front office had egg on their face from being financially hamstrung and losing Alex Caruso in 2021 and, as such, won’t repeat the same mistakes with Reaves, who Windhorst also called the team’s third-best player — though that might be somewhat of a stretch.

Lakers Rumors: Austin Reaves won’t be allowed to leave in free agency

It’s worth noting that the Lakers do have the upper hand with Austin Reaves as the 24-year-old hits free agency as he’s just a restricted free agent. That gives LA the opportunity to match any offer sheet that he would be signed to by another team which, according to Windhorst’s reporting, seems like they would be willing to do.

More importantly, though, you have to wonder if the Lakers will look to try and simply try and find a long-term deal that would work with Reaves given how valuable the role player has been to them throughout the year and particularly in the playoffs.

Reaves averaged 13.0 points, 3.0 rebounds and 3.4 assists while shooting 52.9% from the floor and 39.8% from 3-point range in the regular season, but has upped that in an increased role in 15 postseason games. In the playoffs, Reaves has put up 16.9 points, 4.7 assists and 4.6 rebounds while shooting an impressive 44.2% from deep.

With how Reaves fits as a heady role player who can facilitate, shoot from the outside, and play savvy defense, he’s a critical cog in the Lakers’ success. The franchise is being wise in recognizing the potential pitfalls they fell into with Caruso and not letting them transpire again.