The Los Angeles Lakers didn't begin negotiations with Austin Reaves intending to hand him a $185 million maximum contract.
According to ESPN's Brian Windhorst, they almost lost him because they tried not to.
Appearing on First Take on Thursday, Windhorst revealed that the Lakers significantly increased their offer to Reaves only after the Detroit Pistons emerged as a legitimate threat to sign the breakout guard in free agency.
The dramatic shift came just as Reaves admitted he grew increasingly frustrated throughout negotiations despite wanting to remain with the only NBA franchise he has ever known.
Lakers Initially Offered Far Less
Windhorst disclosed that Los Angeles' opening proposal looked dramatically different from the deal Reaves ultimately accepted.
"Austin Reaves, from what I understand, two days ago was somewhere around $30 million a year in his offer from the Lakers," Windhorst said. "It's a very good contract. It's a far cry from what they offered him yesterday."
The final agreement?
Four years worth approximately $185 million -- more than $45 million annually.
"The offer they offered him yesterday, what he agreed to was more than $45 million a year,"...
Source: https://heavy.com/sports/nba/los-angeles-lakers/frustrated-austin-reaves-lakers-contract/
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