The Los Angeles Lakers secured guard Austin Reaves on a four-year, $185 million maximum contract early in the offseason, locking him in as the franchise’s primary option alongside Luka Doncic.
Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green, speaking on “The Draymond Green Show,” cautioned Reaves that his new salary will draw heavier scrutiny than his previous deal, which averaged roughly $23 million annually.
Green: Expectations Rise With $45 Million Salary
“When you’re making $23 million a year, the value of a player is viewed differently than when they’re making $45 million,” Green said. “It’s not easy to move a guy who makes $45 million, so I don’t think this is, ‘Let’s sign him so we can trade him later.’”
Green added that postseason performance will now carry greater weight for Reaves: “You have to play great at all times. You have to have great playoff series; you’re not allowed to struggle or people will crush you. That’s what happens when you sign these bigger deals and you move up the hierarchy in the NBA.”
Lakers’ Commitment Follows Negotiation Twist
According to previous reports, Los Angeles opened negotiations with a lower offer, leaving Reaves uncertain about his return. The organization later increased its proposal to the maximum allowed, prompting what Reaves described as a “massive sigh of relief.”
The 26-year-old guard now enters the coming season shouldering elevated expectations, especially with LeBron James departing the roster. Reaves and Doncic form the Lakers’ projected backcourt as the team reshapes around its new salary structure.
Source: LakersNation.com
