Austin Reaves’ desire to remain with the Los Angeles Lakers could potentially help the team retain him on a deal for less than the max he could sign for this summer. <\/p>\n
Per ESPN’s Dave McMenamin<\/a>, Reaves’ “contract decision will not come down solely to a dollar figure” as the deadline for his player option approaches. <\/p>\n McMenamin cited the Brooklyn Nets as a team expected to have interest in Reaves, with the ability to offer him a four-year max contract even though money may not be his only driving factor:<\/p>\n “Still, sources familiar with Reaves’ thinking told ESPN throughout the season that Reaves’ contract decision will not come down solely to a dollar figure. There will be various factors, including Reaves’ repeated stance that he would like to play his entire career with the Lakers.”<\/p>\n Reaves holds a $14.9 million<\/a> player option that must be decided on by June 29. McMenamin<\/a> previously reported in March the expectation is Reaves will decline his option. <\/p>\n If Reaves declines his option, the Lakers have the ability to retain him on a five-year deal worth up to $241 million.<\/p>\n Other teams could offer Reaves a\u00a0max deal<\/a>\u00a0worth up to $179 million over four years.<\/p>\n Even though McMenamin suggested that Reaves may be willing to cut the Lakers some kind of discount to stay in Los Angeles, Brad Turner of the\u00a0Los Angeles Times\u00a0reported<\/a>\u00a0on June 4 the 28-year-old is expected to want the max.<\/p>\n Regardless of the cost, there is a\u00a0belief<\/a>\u00a0that Reaves will remain with the Lakers.<\/p>\n Reaves does have leverage over the Lakers if he wants to use it because they don’t currently have any other obvious long-term building blocks around Luka Don\u010di\u0107.<\/p>\n