Spurs, Rockets Considered ‘Big’ Free Agency Offers for Lakers’ Austin Reaves, per Report

Los Angeles was reportedly close to having to pay the young guard a whole lot more money than they did.

Even prior to the start of NBA free agency, it appeared that Austin Reaves was bound to remain with the Lakers for the foreseeable future. The buzz surrounding Los Angeles was that the franchise was willing to match any offer Reaves—a restricted free agent—received.

Apparently, that buzz may have worked in the Lakers’ favor, as Reaves eventually signed a four-year, $56 million contract extension, but as Hoops Hype’s Michael Scotto reports, that salary amount was nearly much higher. Per the report, the Spurs “considered offering” Reaves a restricted free agency sheet worth $21 million per season, while the Rockets also were prepared to make a big offer for the Lakers guard.

The Spurs considered offering Reaves a restricted free agency sheet worth $21 million per season, league sources told HoopsHype. Ultimately, however, the Spurs were scared off by the widespread belief that the Lakers would match any offer sheet for Reaves and chose to preserve cap space as a salary dump destination for future draft pick compensation. The Rockets were also closely monitoring Reaves’ situation because they were prepared to make a big offer sheet if Fred VanVleet didn’t sign with them, sources said.

Right out of the gate in free agency, the Lakers appeared to make it known that they’d match any offer sheet for Reaves. In turn, this seems to have worked to their benefit, as it reportedly kept the Spurs from making a big offer to Reaves and potentially costing Los Angeles a whole lot more money on the young guard’s new deal.