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Oklahoma basketball: Sooner hooper Austin Reaves inks max contract with the Lakers

By Brandon Self

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 04: Austin Reaves #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers scores on a layup past Ty Jerome #16 and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl #50 of the Oklahoma City Thunder and during a 107-104 Oklahoma City Thunder win at Staples Center on November 04, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 04: Austin Reaves #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers scores on a layup past Ty Jerome #16 and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl #50 of the Oklahoma City Thunder and during a 107-104 Oklahoma City Thunder win at Staples Center on November 04, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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Austin Reaves just got the bag… That’s what the kids say when a player receives a lot of money. Today, Laker guard and former Sooner hooper Austin Reaves signed a max contract with the Los Angeles Lakers.

The deal is worth a reported 4 years for 56 million dollars per the Athletic. The agreement is part of what the NBA has termed an ‘early-bird’ maximum contract.

Austin played in 64 Lakers contests last year, averaging 13.0 points per game, 3.4 assists per game, and 3.0 boards per game. He provided a much-needed spark for the sludgy Laker offense.

Reaves was a burst of energy for the Lakers and brought the team back to life following one of the slowest starts in franchise history.

The Lakers ended their 2022-2023 season with a later-than-expected exit in the playoffs against the eventual NBA Champion Denver Nuggets. Reaves started in all 16 Laker playoff games, and his production elevated. He averaged just under 17 points per game in the playoffs. He also upgraded his other averages, including rebounds (4.4) and assists (4.6).

Reaves’ clutch gene, intensity, and competitiveness got him paid. He’s always been a fiery competitor and a scrappy hooper. The former undrafted NBA free agent has become one of the NBA’s brightest young stars and a mega fan favorite in Los Angeles. His biggest fan of all is his teammate LeBron James.

Dec 6, 2020; Fort Worth, Texas, USA; Oklahoma Sooners guard Austin Reaves (12) reacts during the second half against the TCU Horned Frogs at Ed and Rae Schollmaier Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 6, 2020; Fort Worth, Texas, USA; Oklahoma Sooners guard Austin Reaves (12) reacts during the second half against the TCU Horned Frogs at Ed and Rae Schollmaier Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /

Austin was an intense force on the court during his time in Norman. He brought a ‘Baker Mayfield’ type vibe to the LNC and was an instant energy source. Austin averaged 16.3 points per game, 3.7 assists per game, and 5.4 rebounds during his career. Austin is one of Sooner Nation’s most beloved hoopers, and now, we have the same in common with Laker Nation.

Congratulations, Austin, well deserved. Enjoy your first bag. The next one will be even bigger. Hopefully, Sam Presti is the one who will give it to you…?

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