Stein Roundup: Lakers Lean Toward Keeping Reaves; Bulls Near Coaching Decision; Raptors and Mavericks Advance Front-Office, Bench Searches
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Los Angeles — The Lakers are expected to prioritize re-signing guard Austin Reaves in free agency, league insider Marc Stein reported over the weekend. Team officials reportedly view the 28-year-old’s growing chemistry with Luka Doncic as the foundation of the franchise’s next roster build.
Reaves and LeBron James will both enter unrestricted free agency this summer, making the coming offseason pivotal for Los Angeles. Previous speculation had the Nets weighing a maximum contract offer for Reaves and the Pistons targeting him as a complementary shooter and playmaker alongside Cade Cunningham. According to Stein, Brooklyn is now leaning toward short-term deals if it becomes aggressive in free agency, while Detroit is expected to pursue roster upgrades through trades to protect future cap flexibility ahead of Jalen Duren’s free agency and Ausar Thompson’s extension window.
Bulls Could Name Coach Early in the Week
Chicago is one of three NBA teams still without a head coach, but that vacancy may be filled as soon as Monday, Stein noted. The reported finalists are Micah Nori (Timberwolves), Tiago Splitter (Trail Blazers), Ryan Schmidt (Hawks), and former Bulls coach Wes Unseld Jr.
Raptors Quietly Explored Front-Office Options
Stein added that Toronto discreetly interviewed former Mavericks president Donnie Nelson and 2018 Coach of the Year Dwane Casey during last year’s executive search before ultimately extending general manager Bobby Webster. Head-coach negotiations with Darko Rajakovic are said to be nearing completion. Patrick Englebrecht, the Raptors’ director of global scouting and international affairs, could rejoin president Masai Ujiri in an expanded front-office structure.
Mavericks Continue Coaching Interviews
Dallas conducted head-coaching interviews over the weekend, according to Stein. Candidates include Nori, Rockets assistant Royal Ivey, Raptors assistant Jama Mahlalela, Celtics assistant Tony Dobbins, and former Trail Blazers head coach Terry Stotts.
Source: Hoops Rumors
