Austin Reaves just locked in a max deal with the Lakers, officially making him the team's number two guy behind Luka Dončić, and it turns out he's been putting in serious work off the court already. This offseason saw Reaves in constant communication with Dončić, Lakers President of Basketball Operations Rob Pelinka, and head coach JJ Redick, shaping what looks like a brand new era in LA. The commitment from the Lakers' front office is clear, and it shows in Reaves having a massive say in how things are built.
Austin Reaves' Offseason Power Plays Are Legit
You know a team is serious when their new number two, fresh off a max deal, is practically on speed dial with the GM and head coach. Reaves spilled the beans on the "Dan Patrick Show," confirming he had "a lot of talks with Rob." But it gets even better, he also said, "I'm really close with Luka and JJ as well." This isn't just about money, it's about ownership and a shared vision. These guys aren't just showing up to practice; they're actively building something. Reaves isn't wrong when he says, "We're just building something that can be sustainable for not just now but the future." The Lakers have poured a ton of money into this Luka-Reaves duo, and it means those two are always going to be in the know and have a huge voice. Pelinka still calls the shots, no doubt, but keeping your star players fully on board with the main plan is just smart business.The Lakers Are Suddenly Young Again, and Reaves Is the OG
Can you believe that? At just 28, our man Austin Reaves is suddenly the grizzled veteran in that Lakers locker room. He actually mentioned on the show, "I seen something the other day that I'm the oldest guy on the team and I'm 28. That's actually crazy to me." Talk about a youth movement! This summer has been transformational for the Lakers, literally getting much younger, and they are now completely built around Dončić and Reaves. It seems like everyone is totally on board with this new direction, pushing for "success now and five, six, seven years in the future." That's the kind of long-term vision you love to see from a franchise investing so heavily in its future. So what's next for this new-look Lakers squad? We're still in the heart of the offseason, so we've got to wait until the fall to see all these offseason talks translate to action on the court. But if Austin Reaves' spending habits are any indication, he's definitely got his head in the game. He hasn't even bought himself anything yet after his huge payday, saying his financial advisor told him he needed to spend more money. Instead, he likes giving gifts to others. It sounds like being Reaves' friend is a pretty sweet deal right now. Here's hoping he eventually treats himself, but honestly, that dedication to the game and not the flash speaks volumes about the guy leading the charge for the next seven years. We can't wait to see how this young core performs when the season tips off!This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.