Austin Reaves Next Team Odds: Rockets Pose Biggest Threat To LA

By Adam Thompson

Mar 14th, 2024 7:22 AM EST

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As an undrafted rookie out of Wichita State, Austin Reaves was a nice contributor for the Los Angeles Lakers in 2021-22 (7.3 points and 1.8 assists in 23 minutes per game in 61 games, with 19 starts). 

Something clicked in his sophomore season. He started a similar amount of times (22) in 64 games and his minutes went up to 28.8 mpg. But his points (13.0) and assists, (3.4) nearly doubled. The postseason was when he really made a name for himself, however.

Blame the Lakers' sweep at the hands of the eventual champion Nuggets on anyone you want - except Reaves. He averaged 21.3 points, 5.3 assists and 3.5 rebounds while shooting 56% from 3. 

Next thing you know, LeBron James cites Reaves as someone the Lakers need to bring back for next season, and he’s reportedly having lunch with Taylor Swift in Arkansas (which likely wasn’t true). 

Reaves is a restricted free agent, and while L.A. is surely going to make an offer, other teams with more money may come calling as well.

So, now we're asking a question no one thought we'd ask this summer: Where will Austin Reaves play next season? Bookies.com veteran oddsmaker Adam Thompson has revealed his hypothetical NBA odds as to Reaves’ home team for the 2023-24 season. 

Austin Reaves 2023-24 Team Odds

Odds are projected and do not reflect any odds that may be available at legal betting sites or betting apps.

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Which Teams Will Target Austin Reaves?

As much improved as Reaves was in Year 2, he took his game to another level in the 2023 Playoffs. In 16 games, he averaged 16.9 points, 4.4 rebounds and 4.6 assists. It opened eyes as to the potential of the 6-foot-5 guard who idolized Kobe Bryant growing up and is just 25 years of age.

The Lakers have a big edge in re-signing Reaves for a couple of key reasons. For one, as a restricted free agent, L.A. has the right to match any offer Reaves finds elsewhere. Second, Reaves himself says he wants to play his entire career with the Lakers. 

Now, money redirects plans. There are teams out there that absolutely can outbid the cap-strapped Lakers. A few of them are quite high on Reaves. 

The Lakers can only afford to offer Reaves about four years and $52 million in a deal. He could get close to double that in an open market. Again, L.A. can match any offer. 

RELATED: Jaylen Brown Next Team Odds: Will Celtics Break Up The Jays?

Nobody can outbid the Houston Rockets, whose $60.9 million in projected cap space is $21M more than any team other than Utah. Houston plans to go big this offseason. James Harden is its top target, but it can add more. 

The San Antonio Spurs and Orlando Magic are also reportedly keen on Reaves. They rank third and seventh, respectively, in cap space, and each has a draw. The Spurs have a unicorn to build around in 7-foot-3 Victor Wembanyama. The Magic have a young corps and increased their win total by 12 games this season. 

The Field includes other teams that could afford Reaves but may have more-pressing issues to attack, including the Detroit Pistons and Oklahoma City Thunder, and teams with a need for a producer like Reaves but without the money to make it work at the moment, such as the Atlanta Hawks, Memphis Grizzlies and Toronto Raptors. 

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About the Author

Adam Thompson

More About Adam

Long established as one of the nation's premier handicappers, Adam Thompson joined Bookies.com in 2019 after a successful run as senior handicapper for SportsLine & CBSSports.com. He specializes in the NFL and MLB, where he's hit on well over 60% of his picks the past five years. Adam's NBA and horse racing picks have also produced consistent, major winners over the years.

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