{"id":166859,"date":"2025-09-19T04:02:08","date_gmt":"2025-09-19T04:02:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/166859\/"},"modified":"2025-09-19T04:02:08","modified_gmt":"2025-09-19T04:02:08","slug":"spurs-target-54m-rising-star-to-join-wembanyama-fox","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/166859\/","title":{"rendered":"Spurs Target $54M Rising Star to Join Wembanyama, Fox"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\t\t\"Victor\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGetty \t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs talks with teammate De’Aaron Fox.<\/p>\n

The San Antonio Spurs<\/a> are among several teams keeping a close watch on Los Angeles Lakers<\/a> star Austin Reaves<\/a> as his NBA future remains uncertain, ClutchPoints\u2019 Anthony Irwin reported. Reaves, who declined a four-year, $89 million extension from the Lakers this summer, could emerge as one of the most sought-after unrestricted free agents in 2026.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf\/when Reaves opts out of his current contract, he\u2019ll be an unrestricted free agent with plenty of interest,\u201d Irwin wrote<\/a>. \u201cLeague sources say the San Antonio Spurs and other teams are monitoring Reaves\u2019 free agency closely.\u201d<\/p>\n

Backcourt Logjam Could Complicate Move\"Austin<\/p>\n

Getty Austin Reaves of the Los Angeles Lakers dribbles the ball against Stephon Castle of the San Antonio Spurs.<\/p>\n

San Antonio already boasts a loaded backcourt featuring All-Star De\u2019Aaron Fox<\/a>, last season\u2019s Rookie of the Year Stephon Castle<\/a>, and 2025 No. 2 pick Dylan Harper<\/a>. Adding Reaves could bolster the team\u2019s championship aspirations, but it also raises the question of playing time distribution and potential trades to make room for ball-handlers.<\/p>\n

With 7-foot-5 French phenom Victor Wembanyama<\/a>, the Spurs have a franchise cornerstone. Pairing Wembanyama with Reaves and Fox would give them an elite inside-outside partner to complement the French unicorn\u2019s game. Wembanyama\u2019s floor-spacing and shot-blocking could pair well with Reaves and Fox\u2019s slashing and playmaking skills, potentially forming a dynamic trio that would accelerate San Antonio\u2019s rise in the Western Conference.<\/p>\n

High Stakes for Reaves in 2026<\/p>\n

Reaves is expected to seek a max-level contract next summer, aiming for a salary comparable to Miami Heat<\/a> All-Star Tyler Herro<\/a>, according to NBC Sports\u2019 Kurt Helin<\/a>. Herro, drafted 13th overall in 2019, signed a four-year, $130 million extension in 2022 and has blossomed into the team\u2019s leading scorer and playmaker. Reaves, two years older, could follow a similar trajectory if placed in the right system.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf Reaves opts out of the final year of his contract, he could command a starting salary around $42.5 million under a max contract,\u201d ESPN\u2019s Bobby Marks wrote<\/a> in June.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn all likelihood, Reaves will turn down his player option after this season and could command $30 to $35 million per year,\u201d Irwin added.<\/p>\n

Reaves, who previously signed a four-year, $54 million contract in 2023, was on San Antonio\u2019s radar even before re-signing with the Lakers. Jovan Buha, formerly of The Athletic, reported<\/a> that time that the Spurs explored two offer sheets for Reaves\u2014one a four-year, $100 million max deal and another a three-year, $60 million deal\u2014though neither came to fruition.<\/p>\n

Rebounding From Playoff Disappointment\"Austin<\/p>\n

Getty Austin Reaves of the Los Angeles Lakers vows to be better.<\/p>\n

Reaves is motivated to rebound from a subpar postseason performance. In the Lakers\u2019 first-round loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves<\/a>, he averaged 16.2 points on 41.1% shooting, including 31.9% from three-point range, with 3.6 assists and 2.8 turnovers. That marked a decline from his regular-season performance, when he averaged a career-best 20.2 points on 46% shooting, 37.7% from beyond the arc, with 4.8 assists against 2.2 turnovers.<\/p>\n

\u201cJust play better,\u201d Reaves said<\/a> after the playoff exit. \u201cI feel like I\u2019m talented enough to do that. I\u2019ve proved it throughout my life and I\u2019ll continue to do it next year.\u201d<\/p>\n

Whether the Spurs move aggressively will depend on Reaves\u2019 performance alongside Luka Don\u010di\u0107<\/a> in Los Angeles and the Lakers\u2019 championship plans. But for San Antonio, the chance to pair Reaves with Wembanyama represents a high-reward opportunity to accelerate their rebuild and contend sooner than expected.<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tAlder Almo<\/a> is a sports journalist covering the NBA for Heavy.com. He has more than 20 years of experience in local and international media, including broadcast, print and digital. He previously covered the Knicks for Empire Sports Media and the NBA for Off the Glass. Alder is from the Philippines and is now based in Jersey City, New Jersey. More about Alder Almo<\/a>\t\t<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tMore Heavy on Spurs\n\t\t<\/p>\n

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