The Los Angeles Lakers are focusing on cracking down inside.
“The Lakers will do everything in their power to retain Austin Reeves (guard, 196 cm, 89 kg) and Rui Hachimura (forward, 203 cm, 104 kg), according to The Athletic’s Jovan Boo.
The Lakers have most of their players’ contracts expiring after this season. All but LeBron James and Anthony Davis will be under contract. It makes sense for the Lakers to hold onto some of their younger players, who have contributed greatly to their rise to the top this season.토토사이트
Lakers general manager Raj Pelinka has made it known that he intends to hold onto them. Although they are restricted free agents, so offers from other teams could be key, both Reeves and Hachimura are happy playing for the Lakers and are expected to stay. However, if they stay, the Lakers’ cap space will only increase, and they may not be able to give D’Angelo Russell the contract he wants.
In other words, even if the Lakers retain Reeves and Hachimura, they don’t have a realistic chance of keeping Russell. In addition, they are expected to part ways with Malik Beasley, who has a team option for the upcoming 2023-2024 season, as well as Mo Bamba, who is not guaranteed. However, Jared Vanderbilt’s salary for next season is expected to be guaranteed, and Max Christie has a guaranteed minimum.
Reeves, who broke into the NBA last season, has been a stalwart off the bench for the Lakers and has quickly become an integral part of the Lakers’ backcourt. In 64 games this season, Reeves averaged 13 points (.529, .398, .864), three rebounds, and 3.4 assists in 28.8 minutes per game. In the final 27 games of the regular season, when the team was on an upswing, he averaged 16.5 points in 29.5 minutes, making the future look even more promising.
His playoff performance was even better. As a full-fledged starter, he played 36.2 minutes per game in 16 playoff games, averaging 16.9 points (.464 .443 .895), 4.4 rebounds, and 4.6 assists, providing solid support for the one-two punch. He averaged 2.4 three-pointers at a nearly 45% clip, and he was a key contributor in the pick-and-roll game.
Don’t forget about Hachimura. Acquired via trade during the season, he helped the Lakers build their bench strength. In 33 games with the Lakers after the trade, he averaged 9.6 points (.485 .296 .721) and 4.7 rebounds in 22.4 minutes. In the playoffs, however, he played in 16 games, putting up 12.2 points (.557 .487 .882) and 3.6 rebounds in 24.3 minutes per game.
The Lakers are likely to keep him for next season. With the addition of Vanderbilt, who is likely to stay, Reeves will be the starter and Hachimura will split time between the starting lineup and the bench. Additionally, there should be other depth. The Lakers have clearly seen the limitations of the players they acquired last summer in these playoffs, so outside acquisitions are important.