Free-Agent Market Expands for Lakers’ Austin Reaves; Pistons Back J.B. Bickerstaff; Blazers Widen Coaching Hunt
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LOS ANGELES — Lakers guard Austin Reaves is expected to draw significant interest when free agency opens this summer, according to The Athletic. The Utah Jazz and Atlanta Hawks have already been linked to the 27-year-old, who averaged 23.3 points last season and has emerged as one of the league’s most reliable secondary scorers.
Reaves can handle the ball, create shots and play alongside another star, attributes that make him one of the most attractive options in a thin free-agent class. League executives believe he could command more than $40 million per year, sources told The Athletic.
The Lakers remain favored to keep Reaves. He has publicly stated he wants to stay in Los Angeles and is reportedly open to a slight discount. Even so, the front office must weigh a new deal for Reaves against other roster priorities, including the futures of Luka Doncic and LeBron James, two of the biggest offseason storylines.
Pistons Reaffirm Commitment to Bickerstaff
DETROIT — Despite a 31-point loss to the Cavaliers in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference semifinals, the Pistons plan to keep head coach J.B. Bickerstaff long term, The Athletic reported. Detroit finished the regular season with 60 wins, secured the No. 1 seed in the East and rallied past Orlando after trailing 3-1 in the first round.
The organization rewarded Bickerstaff with an extension earlier this month and considers him the coach of the future for a young roster that continues to improve, according to league sources.
Trail Blazers Cast Wide Net for Next Coach
PORTLAND — The Trail Blazers are interviewing an extensive list of candidates to replace departed head coach Chauncey Billups. Marc Stein reported that Timberwolves assistant Micah Nori, Lakers assistant Greg St. Jean and former Portland coach Terry Stotts are among those drawing interest.
Jake Fischer of The Stein Line added that Portland hopes to meet with more than 30 candidates before making a decision, underscoring the organization’s expansive search.
Team owner Tom Dundon is reportedly aiming to keep the salary for the next head coach between $1 million and $1.5 million annually, a figure that could complicate negotiations with higher-profile names.
Portland has not announced a timeline for concluding the search.
Source: Hoops Wire
