New Laker Two Way Player Austin Reaves Passed on Getting Drafted to Land in LA

New Laker Two Way Player Austin Reaves Passed on Getting Drafted to Land in LA

Among recent reports that some skilled veterans may line up to join LA for a chance to win a title, it appears that even young players are looking at the purple and gold as a great place to land as well.

According to Sam Vecenie of The Athletic, new two-way player Austin Reaves was given the opportunity to be drafted (albeit in the second round) but instead passed on that chance to choose his own destination. In this case, a two way contract with LA.

"Reaves signed with the Lakers on a two way deal following the draft. Sources told The Athletic that Reaves turned down the ability to get drafted in order to pick his own spot after the draft. Ultimately, the Lakers were the most attractive option, and its easy to see why." - Sam Vecenie. The Athletic

Although it may not seem like a huge deal, the new two-way contracts offer the player half the money they would make in the first year of a 2nd round draft pick deal.

Of course, the team that wanted to draft Austin in the second (Vecenie doesn't say who) may not have committed to signing him to that first year, and like many late second-rounders recently, he may have been offered a two way deal with that team as well. Given that he ended up choosing his own destination, it sounds like he did the best he could have.

It is also important to note that with LA having no draft picks this year and an overall shortage of young players on the team, Reaves may have seen a wide open path to playing time, both in the summer league, and more importantly during the regular season. In fact, along with the salary bump, the new two-way allows the player to play in as many as 50 games with the main club, along with pretty much unlimited practice time.

Time will tell which veteran free agents may take a pay cut to come to LA, or which vets who are choosing between minimum offers decide their best landing spot is LA, but one day after the draft and three days before NBA free agency begins, at least one player has signaled the value to joining LeBron James, Anthony Davis and newly added Russel Westbrook in their chase for a title. Let’s hope he is the first of many.