Austin Reaves is staying with the Lakers, and Luka Doncic appears to have had a clear preference in how that happened.
Dan Woike of The Athletic reported that Reaves agreed to remain in Los Angeles on a four-year, $185 million contract, according to sources. The deal keeps Reaves in place as Doncic's backcourt partner after a year in which Doncic made that wish known to Lakers executives.
The Giannis Antetokounmpo part is the hook. According to league sources cited by Woike, Doncic even told the Lakers that he preferred any trade package for the former MVP not to include Reaves.
That is not the same as saying Los Angeles had a realistic Giannis deal ready. It does show where Reaves sits in Doncic's view of the roster.
Reaves signed with the Lakers as an undrafted free agent and has increased his production every season. He averaged 7.3 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.8 assists as a rookie. Last season, he was up to 23.3 points, 4.7 rebounds and 5.5 assists.
Woike also reported preliminary conversations with LeBron James' representatives before the draft. Rui Hachimura, Jaxson Hayes, Luke Kennard and other free agents remain in the team's exclusive negotiating window.
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