The Los Angeles Lakers’ offseason is in full swing and players have been taking the time to enjoy their extended vacations before they dive head first into the upcoming 2024-25 season.
Austin Reaves is going to be a key piece this offseason as either a potential trade piece in a blockbuster or a player the Lakers identity as a core player alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Despite getting benched midway through the 2023-24 season, Reaves was inserted back into the starting lineup and helped them go on another second-half run to qualify for the playoffs.
The shooting guard was a reliable contributor for Los Angeles in the Play-In Tournament and the first round of the 2024 NBA Playoffs, though he and the team were sent home in five games by the Denver Nuggets. Despite the disappointing result, Reaves proved he belonged on the biggest stage.
With the Lakers still a month away from the 2024 NBA Draft and free agency, Reaves has been taking advantage of his free time by getting in as many rounds of golf as he can. He is confirmed to be a part of the field competing in the American Century Championship later this summer,
“I don’t think I’m playing in any more Korn Ferry qualifiers. I’m playing (the Good Good Midwest Open) in Indiana with Garrett Clark. It’s going to be a lot of fun. And then I’m playing in the American Century. The tournament that (Stephen Curry) won last year.”
Reaves participated in the Korn Ferry Tour Qualifier earlier this offseason, performing admirably in his debut competitive golf tournament. He aims to build on this success at the American Century Championship in Lake Tahoe from July 12-14. Noting that Steph Curry won the tournament last year, the Los Angeles shooting guard aspires to be the next champion.
Reaves is a self-professed golf enthusiast and has great confidence in his abilities. He even stated that he would feel assured in a match against Curry if the opportunity arose.
Golf has given Reaves additional avenues to boost his popularity and brand and it’ll be fun to watch him compete later this summer.
The field will be competing for $750,000 in prize money, with a $150,000 first prize. The tournament has raised almost $8 million for charities including the Stowers Institute for Medical Research.
Lakers’ preference is to keep Austin Reaves
The Lakers should explore all their options in the trade market and Austin Reaves is arguably their biggest trade chip. However, the organization is reportedly still high on Reaves and would reportedly prefer to keep him out of any deals.
