Austin Reaves considered Spurs in free agency before Lakers return

Austin Reaves considered joining the San Antonio Spurs in free agency before returning to the Los Angeles Lakers.

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The San Antonio Spurs‘ offseason was defined by their selection of Victor Wembanyama with the first pick in the 2023 NBA Draft. The 19-year-old French product is already a superstar, drawing the attention of many around the entire basketball world. In just his first Summer League game, the gym was sold out.

San Antonio has made other moves, too, though. They’ve re-signed Tre Jones, Julian Champagnie, and Sandro Mamukelashvili and brought in Cedi Osman, Lamar Stevens (who was waived), Reggie Bullock, and Cameron Payne via trade. However, they were close to making another move that would have seen them land an up-and-coming guard.

During an appearance on the “All The Smoke” podcast with Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson, Los Angeles Lakers guard revealed that he nearly signed with the Spurs and the Houston Rockets. (H/t Jacob Rude of Silver Screen and Roll)

“Houston, before [they signed] Fred [VanVleet] and then San Antonio,” Reaves said when asked which teams he thought about signing with.

That being said, Reaves also noted that he always wanted to return to the Lakers, where he ended up re-signing.

“I really wanted to be in LA the whole time,” said Reaves.”There were a couple situations that were close but, like I said, I really wanted to be in LA. LA feels like home to me so that’s really where I wanted to be.”

Reaves agreed to re-join the Lakers on a four-year, $56 million contract during free agency.

Would you have wanted to see him in San Antonio alongside Wembanyama?

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