The Nets called for ‘throwing all the money’ at Austin Reaves to steal the Lakers’ point guard
The Brooklyn Nets are positioned to be a major player in next summer’s free agency. After two tanking seasons, the rebuilding squad will look to take a significant step forward in 2026-27.
The Eastern Conference executive is adamant that the Nets should sign Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves this summer to lead that charge.
“AR is a kid,” the executive told ESPN’s Dave McMenamin. “If I were the Brooklyn Nets, I’d throw all the money at him. He’s shown when he gets the keys to the engine that he can produce.”
A stellar performance by Reaves After injuries to LeBron James and Luka Doncic early in the season, the NBA is the talk of the town, and the 27-year-old is destined for unrestricted free agency. The Lakers point guard is averaging a career-high 28.3 points and 8.3 assists on 47.0 percent shooting in nine appearances. He scored 51 points and 41 points during back-to-back games against the Sacramento Kings and Portland Trail Blazers.
Could the Nets pursue Lakers star Austin Reaves in 2026 free agency?
Reaves will be eligible to sign five-year, $241 million contract with the Lakers, according to Bobby Marks of ESPN. He can sign up to four years, $178.5 million with a cap team. The Nets are one of four teams — including the Chicago Bulls, Utah Jazz and Washington Wizards — projected to have over $40 million in cap space.
Brooklyn can open up more cap space, depending on its decisions on a pair of $6.25 million team options for Dai’Ron Sharpe and Ziaire Williams. Sharpe and Reeves are repped by AMR Agency’s Aaron Riley.
With the Nets owed an unprotected trade of a 2027 first-round pick to the Houston Rockets, they should be motivated to improve next season. Brooklyn could offer Reaves a chance to be the face of the team in the league’s biggest market.
After starting 1-10, The Nets will have a chance to find the best pick in a loaded 2026 draft. Which player they get next June will greatly affect their lineup for the coming seasons.
2025-11-13 17:27:00
