For any team that possibly offers Los Angeles Lakers restricted free agent a massive max offer sheet in NBA free agency, the team reportedly has a unique strategy to counter that move and hurt interested rival organizations.
Austin Reaves has become one of the best stories on the current Los Angeles Lakers roster. He joined the organization as an undrafted talent last season and was a solid addition to their rotation. However, in 2022-2023, he became a starter and a key part of their success. Turning into the third-best player on a roster that went to the Western Conference Finals this season.
That outstanding performance came at just the right time for the 25-year-old as he enters free agency as a restricted player this summer. All indications are the Lakers want the young star back and will offer him the max deal that they can. However, for weeks there have been rumblings his market could be unexpectedly strong.
Los Angeles Lakers record (’22-’23): 43-39
The word around the NBA is that teams with a lot of space, like the Houston Rockets and San Antonio Spurs, could surprisingly give a “poison-pill” $100 million offer sheet to Reaves. An offer the Los Angeles Lakers are expected to match despite the risks. However, on a Friday edition of “NBA Today,” ESPN NBA reporter Dave McMenamin revealed a unique strategy the organization will use to hurt any team that forces them to match a massive offer for Reaves.
Related: Los Angeles Lakers rumors – Latest news and information for 2023 offseason
“I’m told at 3 PM PT and a fraction of a second, there will be a four-year, $52 million max offer awaiting Austin Reaves. It’s the most the Lakers can offer him. Now, if an outside team decides to put up more money, the Lakers are prepared to match that as well.
“He’s a restricted free agent, and if Houston wants to put up $100 million in front of him, or San Antonio, I’m told the Lakers will wait until the July 6 [deadline] and the very last minute to hold up that team’s cap space and then match it at the last second. So buyer beware if you want to mess with the Lakers’ plans.”
– Dave McMenamin
It is a strategy that certainly could scare some teams off since both the Rockets and Spurs have the space to sign at least two notable free agents, and not knowing what their salary cap situation is until July 6 would be extremely damaging for their free agency plans.