The Lakers are still trying to find the right balance of players to put around star Luka Doncic, and they have an important offseason ahead of them, with Austin Reaves and LeBron James both on track unrestricted free agency.
Signs seem to be pointing to the Lakers retaining Reaves, according to Marc Stein of the Stein Line (subscriber link). Stein highlights the developing partnership between the 28-year-old guard and Doncic, writing that the Lakers appear to view the duo as the cornerstone combination they’ll build the team around.
While one report indicated that the Nets could offer Reaves a max contract and that the Pistons may have interest in him as a shooter and ball-handler next to Cade Cunningham, Stein notes that there is a sense the Nets would rather give out short-term deals if they decide to be aggressive in free agency. As for the Pistons, they seem more likely to look to fill the holes in their roster via trade than via free agency, Stein writes, so as not to risk complicating their cap situation ahead of Jalen Duren‘s restricted free agency and Ausar Thompson‘s next contract.
We have more news from around the NBA:
- There are still three teams without a head coach, but that is expected to change soon. Stein reports that the Bulls could choose their next head coach as soon as Monday. As Stein and Jake Fischer reported earlier this week, Micah Nori (Wolves), Tiago Splitter (Blazers), Ryan Schmidt (Hawks), and Wes Unseld Jr. (Bulls) are considered the four finalists for the position.
- The Raptors quietly interviewed former Mavericks president Donnie Nelson as well as Toronto’s former Coach of the Year Dwane Casey last year during their front office search that eventually led to the hiring of Bobby Webster, who was recently extended, Stein reveals, while confirming previous rumors that head coach Darko Rajakovic is expected to be extended sooner rather than later. Stein also notes that Patrick Engelbrecht, Toronto’s director of global scouting and international affairs, could end up reuniting with Mavs president Masai Ujiri as Ujiri continues to build out Dallas’ new-look front office.
- The Mavericks are moving forward with their search for a head coach and reportedly held interviews throughout this weekend. As has previously been reported, the list of Mavs candidates includes Nori, Royal Ivey (Rockets), Jama Mahlalela (Raptors), Tony Dobbins (Celtics), and former Blazers coach Terry Stotts.
