lebron james austin reaves
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LeBron James with Austin Reaves.
The debate about who the greatest basketball player ever is mostly comes down to LeBron James and Michael Jordan when it’s talked about in the media. However, many professional basketball players believe that Kobe Bryant belongs in the debate.
Austin Reaves has spent his entire NBA career playing with James on the Los Angeles Lakers, but he’s a lifelong Bryant fan. Despite being teammates with James currently, Reaves named Bryant as the greatest basketball player ever when asked in a recent interview.
James is on record saying that he believes he’s the “GOAT,” but not everybody agrees with that sentiment, not even his own teammates. Luka Doncic previously named Jordan as the greatest ever.
While his star teammates won’t name James the “GOAT,” there are plenty of current and former players who do. Yahoo Sports previously compiled a list of every player who thinks James is the best to ever do it.
The biggest argument against James is that he doesn’t have as many championships as Jordan or Bryant, but he holds plenty of other records. The “GOAT” debate will likely continue to rage on long after James retires from the NBA.
Reaves Could Make Big Money Next Year
Reaves turned down a max contract extension offer from the Lakers this offseason because he’ll have a chance to make more next offseason when he’s a free agent. There’s been speculation that he could make more than $30 million a year.
However, not everybody is buying that. An anonymous general manager told Sean Deveney of Athlon Sports that he doesn’t think it’s realistic for Reaves to make that kind of money.
“Two years ago, Reaves would get $30 million, no doubt,” the general manager said. “If there had been more (cap) space, he might have gotten it then. There has been a mindset to being willing to overpay players based on, almost, where they’re supposed to slot in. So, Zach LaVine got $215 (million) even though the Bulls knew they did not want to give it to him and tried to trade him as soon as they did give it. And there’s 15, 20 guys like that.
“You can’t do that anymore. You can’t just say, ‘Well, he averages 20 (points) so he needs to get $30 (million) per year.’ No. You’re going to have to take these negotiations more seriously. You’re going to have to be realistic about what a guy is worth, on both ends of the floor, before you put a number out there. And Austin Reaves should get $24, $25 (million) a year. Not $30.
“It matters.”
Should Lakers Pay Reaves Whatever He Wants?
Reaves has been a great player for the Lakers since joining them as an undrafted free agent signing in 2021. He had a career year last season, averaging 20.2 points a game.
He’s clearly a really good NBA player, but is he $30 million a year good? That largely depends on how this season goes. Doncic is the face of the franchise, so Reaves has to be a fit next to him.
The problem is that they have similar skill sets. The Lakers may be more inclined to use their money to put pieces around Doncic that are more complementary. That said, if Reaves is even better this season, it’s hard to imagine them letting him walk.