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Austin Reaves could be pursued by the Utah Jazz this offseason when the LA Lakes star player becomes an unrestricted free agent.
Interest in Austin Reaves from multiple teams
During his show on Friday, NBA insider Kevin O'Connor said that there will be various teams that could offer a big contract to Reaves in the offseason. Utah, valued at $4.1 billion by Forbes, has a genuine interest in the 27-year-old guard, per O'Connor.
"I think the Utah Jazz are going to be a team that has big interest in Austin Reaves this summer," O'Connor said. "There are going to be teams that make a big max offer for Reaves, and he's going to have that choice."
The Jazz are said to have up to $70 million in cap space next season, making the way for them to sign a player to a maximum contract. As per Spotrac, Reaves has a $14.9 million player option in 2026-27, but he is expected to opt out.
The Lakers own Reaves' Bird Rights and can offer him a five-year, $241 million deal. Other teams, like the Jazz, can give a four-year deal at $178.5 million.
In addition, O'Connor said longtime sports agent Rich Paul could have information on Reaves' impending free agency. Earlier this week, the Klutch Sports CEO suggested that LA could trade Reaves to the Memphis Grizzlies for Jaren Jackson Jr.
"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," O'Connor said.
"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," O'Connor said.
Rich Paul suggests the Lakers should trade Austin Reaves for Jaren Jackson Jr.
LA Lakers star LeBron James' agent, Rich Paul, said that LA could aim for Memphis Grizzlies star Jaren Jackson Jr. this season. In Monday's edition of "Game Over Podcast," Paul said Austin Reaves could be part of a hot trade for Jackson.
"If I was the Lakers, I would probably be targeting the Memphis Grizzlies as a trade partner for Jaren Jackson," Paul said. "If you’re building around Luka (Doncic) going forward, you need that anchor. And Jaren doesn't want to be a part of a rebuild.
"If you’re able to trade out expirings and give up the last first-round pick you got... Or you can withhold that, and give up less, but this comes with a more unemotional attachment because Austin is beloved. There’s a world you can do what's best for your team, and what's best for Austin. Austin deserves to get paid."
Paul added that Austin Reaves could be the top option of what could be a rebuilding team in Memphis. On the other hand, Jackson, who is former Defensive Player of the Year, could help the Lakers sort their defensive issues.
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