Lakers a lock to match any offer on Austin Reaves

According to a person with knowledge of their thinking, they have interest in the Bucks’ Khris Middleton and Brook Lopez, the Nuggets’ Bruce Brown, the Jazz’s Jordan Clarkson, the Lakers’ Rui Hachimura and Austin Reeves, the Nets’ Cam Johnson, the Warriors’ Donte DiVincenzo, the Grizzlies’ Dillon Brooks, the Raptors’ Jakob Poeltl and the Mavericks’ Dwight Powell. -via Houston Chronicle / June 25, 2023

Austin Reaves, who will be playing in Manila for the United States in the upcoming FIBA World Cup, received praise from his coach saying he saw the potential from his rookie year. “I saw it early on and obviously the Laker organization as well. I said in Austin’s rookie year that he’s gonna be a great player in the NBA and his ability to—I’ll just put it this way—he’s fearless, he’s not afraid of the moment,” said Handy. -via ABS-CBN News / June 20, 2023

Los Angeles has the advantage in restricted free agency. The team controls the fate of both Reaves and Rui. Should any team issue an offer sheet, the Lakers will have approximately 24 hours to match. “Someone is going to give Austin a big offer, even if it’s just to put a big number on the Lakers,” one competing executive said. -via Bleacher Report / June 20, 2023