Austin Reaves Free Agency Could Shake Lakers

A twin injury blow to the Lakers left Luka Dončić with a hamstring issue and Austin Reaves sidelined with an oblique after a loss to Oklahoma City. Dončić is pursuing an accelerated recovery overseas and Reaves is expected to miss 3 to 5 weeks, casting doubt on Los Angeles’ playoff ceiling. Reaves hits free agency July 1 and has been "open about his preference to spend his career with the Lakers," yet he held off on an extension because the 140 percent offer pays far less than the market his 23.3 points and 5.5 assists suggest. Merlin sees the outcome as a chess match of cap math and leverage. If the Lakers clear salary by not re-signing LeBron the room exists to pay Reaves. Only a few teams look equipped to chase him, so a compromise deal around $30 million to $35 million per year feels likely. Injuries, sign-and-trade talk, and the market will decide whether Los Angeles keeps its gritty glue.