There’s no question Austin Reaves will be a hot commodity as an unrestricted free agent when the offseason arrives.
The 6-foot-5 breakout Los Angeles Lakers star is having a memorable season with the 17-time NBA champions, averaging a career-best 26.6 points, 6.3 assists, and 5.2 rebounds per game in 23 outings.
Unfortunately, a grade 2 left gastrocnemius strain has kept Reaves out of the Lakers’ lineup for several games. However, Reaves should return to the hardwood in due time and get back to his dominant ways as the franchise’s No. 2 scoring option.
According to Yahoo Sports’ Kevin O’Connor, the Utah Jazz could emerge as a legitimate suitor for Reaves this summer if the Lakers don’t deliver the goods financially.
“I think the Utah Jazz are going to be a team that has big interest in Austin Reaves this summer,” O’Connor stated last Thursday.
“There are going to be teams that make a big max offer for Reaves, and he’s going to have that choice. So the Lakers—like, Rich Paul’s not saying it—but I’m sure Rich Paul has that same exact information about where Reaves could go this offseason.”
Would the Jazz transform into title contenders with the addition of Reaves? Absolutely not, but the Oklahoma product would get a chance to assume No. 1 scoring and playmaking responsibilities on a full-time basis and help the Jazz move closer to making noise in the loaded Western Conference.
Of course, if the Lakers are willing to pay Reaves the money he’s seeking, they won’t have to worry about another organization stealing his services before the start of the 2026-27 season.
If not, a franchise like the Jazz could sign him and walk away from free agency with much-needed confidence.
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