Rockets were prepared to make 'big offer' for Lakers guard

Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves. Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Rockets were prepared to make 'big offer' for breakout Lakers guard

By Vinny Somma | Last updated 7/26/23

The Houston Rockets solidified their backcourt this offseason with the addition of ex-Toronto Raptors star Fred VanVleet. However, if the former NBA champion opted not to sign with the team, Houston would have likely set their sights on breakout Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves.

According to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, the Rockets were "closely monitoring Reaves’ situation" and were prepared to make a "big offer sheet" before landing VanVleet.

Scotto also noted that the San Antonio Spurs kicked around the idea of offering Reaves a restricted free agency sheet worth $21M per year, but decided against it due to "widespread belief" that the Lakers would match any offer sheet.

REPORT: The Spurs considered offering Austin Reaves an offer sheet worth $21M per year.

(via @MikeAScotto, https://t.co/acrUWwUWws) pic.twitter.com/1mEl6WP4ZM
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) July 26, 2023

Reaves playing alongside No. 1 pick Victor Wembanyama would have surely given the Spurs one of the league's more intriguing young duos. Yet ultimately, Reaves re-signed with the Lakers this summer on a four-year, $53.8M deal. His $13.4M average salary under his new contract is a $12.2M increase from his previous deal.

After a relatively quiet rookie season, the Oklahoma product burst onto the scene in 2022-23, averaging 13.0 points, 3.0 rebounds and 3.4 assists in 64 regular season games. His production elevated even further in the playoffs, shooting 44.3% from three and scoring 21-plus points on seven occasions.

As for the Rockets, the addition of a veteran presence such as VanVleet should prove vital for one of the NBA's more talented, albeit unproven rosters in basketball. Projected starters Jalen Green, Jabari Smith Jr. and Alperen Sengun boast an average age of just 20.6 years old.