Reaves likes Lakers' 'pieces' in post-LeBron era
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- Austin Reaves signed a four-year, $180 million extension — the most lucrative NBA contract ever for an undrafted player — after agreeing to come down from an initial $185M deal that included a player option
- The $5M reduction on Reaves' deal gives the Lakers more financial flexibility, making it possible to pursue a player with the non-taxpayer midlevel exception next summer
- Reaves publicly acknowledged LeBron James' departure after eight years in Los Angeles, saying, "Starting the season without him being on the team is going to be different for me. He's kind of all I've ever known."
- Five players who started for the Lakers in their playoff opener — James, Marcus Smart, Deandre Ayton, Rui Hachimura, and Luke Kennard — all found new teams within two months, per Reaves
- New additions Walker Kessler, Quentin Grimes, Collin Sexton, and Sandro Mamukelashvili gathered in Las Vegas to meet the coaching staff under JJ Redick and scrimmage
- Reaves and Kessler previously played together on Team USA in the FIBA World Cup; Reaves called the 7-foot-2 center "a big, goofy dude that just enjoys life"
- Reaves will be leaned on more than ever to lead the Lakers alongside Luka Doncic, whom he called "one of my best friends on this planet"
Why it matters: Reaves gave back $5M and his player option specifically so the Lakers retain roster flexibility heading into next summer's midlevel market — a concrete roster-building trade that came as the team lost every member of its playoff starting lineup to free agency in two months.
