After Calling Austin Reaves a 6th Man, Rich Paul Admits Lakers Star Earn Lucrative Deal and Spend Entire Career in LA

After Calling Austin Reaves a 6th Man, Rich Paul Admits Lakers Star Earn Lucrative Deal and Spend Entire Career in LA (Source: Imagn)
After Calling Austin Reaves a 6th Man, Rich Paul Admits Lakers Star Earn Lucrative Deal and Spend Entire Career in LA (Source: Imagn)

Austin Reaves has made an electric start to the season and could enter free agency in 2026. His performances justify a major contract, but super agent Rich Paul believes Reaves should sign his next deal in Los Angeles and remain a Laker for life.

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On the debut episode of his "Game Over" podcast with Max Kellerman, Rich Paul addressed Austin Reaves’ future, suggesting he can secure a lucrative contract while continuing his career with the Lakers.

"Listen I think Austin Reaves can do both," Paul said. "I think Austin Reaves can get paid a lot of money. Keep his platform, stay next to a guy like Luka, and stay with the organization that drafted him and developed him as long as it’s not like, drastic."
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The super agent expressed his views on Reaves' contract situation after calling the guard a sixth man and comparing him to Spurs legend Manu Ginobili. Paul believed the Lakers could provide Reaves with a massive contract similar to what the Spurs did with Ginobili.

"Back in the day, the Spurs made that decision. And you know what Ginobili did? He embraced it," Paul said. "And how many championships did they win? Five. Those are the kinds of decisions that matter, without getting enamored by everything else."
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Austin Reaves has a player option next year, which would allow him to forego the final year of his four-year $53.8 million contract. With the guard averaging 27.8 ppg and 6.7 apg, teams will be keeping an eye out for his contract situation with the Lakers.

With LeBron’s contract set to expire at the end of the season, Los Angeles could free up significant cap space. This would allow them to offer Reaves a stronger deal and keep their backcourt of Reaves and Luka Doncic intact for years to come.

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Rich Paul clarifies his sixth man remarks on Austin Reaves

Rich Paul sparked debate on Thursday after suggesting Austin Reaves could land a lucrative contract while coming off the bench. He clarified his stance on Friday, stressing that his comments were not meant to be demeaning.

"The internet is like a palmer of intelligence and ignorance," Paul said (Timestamp: 12:51 onwards). "If you have a championship team and the best-case scenario for your team is for a player at the talent level of an Austin Reeves to come off your bench. I don't think Austin Reeves would have an issue with that".
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Austin Reaves has become an integral part of the Lakers this season, and Paul’s comments about him playing off the bench sparked strong reactions.

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Edited by Arian Kashyap
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