[Jovan Buha] The Spurs considered two offers for Reaves. One for the maximum amount of dollars and years (4 yrs $100 million) and a smaller, shorter structure (3 yrs $60 million). Ultimately, L.A.’s insistence that it would match any offer sheet Reaves signed scared off the Spurs & other suitors.
by shreeharis
13 Comments
I would have been ok missing out on Cam Payne and Cedi Osman if it meant I got to swing for Austin Reaves, even if it was a swing and a miss.
Edit: There’s more to it than that, but I thought Reaves showed enough to be worth it, even if you missed out on him.
Bill Simmons triggered hard by “scared off the Spurs”
It’s hilarious how Bill Simmons being upset about something and constantly talking about it will end up with so many other people talking about it
You know Popovich has gotten soft in his old age, because in the past he would have sent that max offer sheet *in a heartbeat* if he knew it would put the Lakers in a bind.
Other tidbits from the article :
1. “It was crazy,” Reaves said of free agency. “We waited what, like, 15 hours or so (for teams to make their offers)? But after that, like I said, I wanted to be in L.A. The relationships that we have with the front office, players, really the whole city, is something that you can’t really hold out on. …
“(Los Angeles is) home to me. The way the fans treat me, the organization, teammates, there’s no other place I would rather be.”
2. When Grant Hill was covering the NCAA tournament for CBS as a commentator in 2017, he spoke with then-Wichita State head coach Gregg Marshall, who told him to keep an eye on Reaves. Hill recalled Marshall telling him that Reaves had the highest NBA upside of any of the players he coached, a group that includes All-Star guard Fred VanVleet, who moved from Toronto to Houston in free agency, and Washington Wizards shooting guard Landry Shamet.
“I got a chance to become familiar with him,” Hill said. “Just kind of kept an eye on him.”
3. As Reaves ascended over the second half of the 2022-23 season, Grant Hill and USA Basketball coach Steve Kerr circled back to the player they identified as the type of connecting piece that would bolster the rest of the roster. They believed he’d help more than some established All-Star guards, including Atlanta star Trae Young.
4. Before Grant Hill’s recruiting pitch, Reaves seriously considered playing for the German national team. He has German ancestry, and his brother plays professionally there and recently became a dual citizen. But when offered the chance to represent his home country, Reaves couldn’t turn down what he deemed a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.” He just has it,” Hill said. “He has a great understanding. … You can plug him in anywhere. He’s a guy that just figures it out.” As Hill expected, Reaves has helped bring the team together, on and off the court. “I think he’s as good as advertised,” Hill said. “I’m very pleased. And at some point, I think he’ll have a moment — a big moment. I believe he’s that kind of player. A guy not afraid of that kind of moment.”
5. Reaves has earned rave reviews from teammates, coaches and staffers for, among other things, his low-maintenance attitude, dry sense of humor and immense basketball skills and IQ.“ He fits in wherever we put him — that’s the beauty of Austin,” Kerr said. “He’s a connector. He’s a hell of a basketball player. … Just so poised out there all the time. He’s a guy who enhances any lineup that he plays with.”
6. Reaves on still retaining the underdog edge that got him here? “I don’t think it shifts at all,” Reaves said of his mentality. “I think there’s still a good majority of people that probably still don’t think I’m that good — or any good at all.”
I would have liked the Spurs to make an offer. Then Lakers wait until the last minute to match so the Spurs can lose their flexibility in free agency.
Rickets opted for lopez and books which I see no issue in
Spurs opted for future cap space and 1 year rentals which I also see no issue in. Espically if they want to chase rfa or urfa next season
“I can’t believe that worked!” -Rob Pelinka
What’s the drawback of sending an offer sheet that is matched?
Why being scared about another team matching? So what if they match
Bullshit. They were scared of offering $100mil and it getting accepted. It was a mistake, $25/yr for AR would be a bargain.
They also could’ve offered something even more aggressive. Player options, early payments, etc etc. but that would set the precedent of an organization that is willing to pay, which is dangerous.
Sounds like LA had the upper hand here. Spurs should’ve went with the combo of more money and shorter years – would’ve been a smarter move imo.
So, basically Reaves lost 46 million?