Austin Reaves Got $185 Million, And the Lakers Still Have No Answers

Alright, buckle up Seattle, because NBA free agency is about to drop harder than a Kraken slap shot, and guess who's looking more lost than a tourist trying to find Climate Pledge Arena? Yep, the Los Angeles Lakers. They just agreed to drop a staggering $185 million over four years to keep Austin Reaves, but honestly, that massive payout feels less like a solution and more like a fresh set of questions for a team trying to compete for a championship. Seriously, it's June 30, free agency starts Tuesday, and this squad is still spinning their tires.

Big Bucks, Bigger Questions

So, the Lakers shelled out for Reaves, right? Good for him, that's a whole lot of green. But before they locked him down, these guys were apparently talking to the Heat about Tyler Herro and Kel’el Ware. Why even go there if Reaves was the plan? And get this, they're supposedly linked to every single free agent out there, from Dean Wade to Jock Landale, according to Michael Scotto from HoopsHype. Why? Because they can apparently open up the most cap space in the league. They even had trade interest in the Nuggets' Cameron Johnson. It just screams "we don't know what we're doing yet," even after writing that huge check for Reaves.

Rookies, Role Players, and Ayton's Future

It's not all about the big names, though. The Lakers did snag a rookie, Cameron Carr, a 3-and-D wing, trading up to the 24th pick with the New York Knicks to get him.

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Kid's apparently excited to learn from Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, which, fine. They also added Robert McCray V and Jacari White on Exhibit 10 contracts. But then there's Chris Mañon, an undrafted Vanderbilt guard who got a two-way qualifying offer after spending most of last season in the G League, only making it into nine games with the Lakers. Not exactly a blockbuster move, is it? And what about Deandre Ayton? His first season had "ups and downs," and he's expected to pick up his player option after signing a two-year deal when the Trail Blazers bought him out last summer. Sounds like a whole lot of uncertainty still hanging around.

Smart Moves, Or Just More Head-Scratching?

Speaking of players on the move, Marcus Smart, who was a "major catalyst" for the Lakers getting past the Rockets in the first round especially with Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves sidelined, is now reportedly getting interest from Houston. Imagine losing a guy who stepped up like that! Meanwhile, LeBron James is off doing his thing, set to speak at Boardroom’s Game Plan Summit on July 16 at Fanatics Fest NYC. Big names, big contracts, and a whole lot of rumors. So, what's next for the Lakers as free agency officially kicks off on Tuesday, June 30? They've got "a lot of work to do to improve their roster to compete for a championship," and honestly, after all these moves and rumored talks, it feels like they’re just getting started trying to figure it out. It's going to be a wild offseason for them, that's for sure.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.