Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves discussed how he travels privately during the offseason by booking hotels and flights, a wild travel story with the Lakers in Portland, what happens on the team flight after games, the possibility of being a Laker for life, D’Angelo Russell’s free agency, what he’s learned from LeBron James, why Anthony Davis should be in the Defensive Player of the Year conversation, and the chip on the team’s shoulder going up against the Denver Nuggets in a playoff rematch with HoopsHype Senior NBA Insider Michael Scotto.
On his path from an undrafted rookie to stardom with the Los Angeles Lakers, Austin Reaves has had many memorable moments in hotels, including a life-changing call to play in the NBA while in El Segundo, California, and avoiding a fire while playing for the Lakers at a Portland hotel.
“I was in there for probably two months and got a call from my agent (Aaron Reilly), and it was them offering me a regular contract that, for me, was the start of my journey, so the Residence Inn always has a special place in my heart,” Reaves said during a Hotels.com “Perfect 10” digital content segment.
Following his segment, Reaves spoke with HoopsHype and discussed how he travels privately during the offseason when booking hotels and flights, a wild travel story with the Lakers in Portland, what happens on the team flight after games, the possibility of being a Laker for life, D’Angelo Russell’s free agency, what he’s learned from LeBron James, why Anthony Davis should be in the Defensive Player of the Year conversation, and the chip on the team’s shoulder going up against the Denver Nuggets in a playoff rematch.
Reporting on how the Brooklyn Nets agreed to hire Jordi Fernandez as their next head coach, what’s next for Nic Claxton in free agency, potential extension talks for Mikal Bridges and Cam Thomas, the future for Ben Simmons, and why Donovan Mitchell is a likely trade target with New York Post writer Brian Lewis and HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto on the latest episode of The HoopsHype Podcast.
HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto and New York Post Brooklyn Nets beat writer Brian Lewis report on how the team agreed to hire Jordi Fernandez as their next head coach, what’s next for Nic Claxton in free agency, potential extension talks for Mikal Bridges and Cam Thomas, the future for Ben Simmons, and why Donovan Mitchell is a likely trade target on the latest episode of The HoopsHype Podcast.
For more interviews with players, coaches, and media members, be sure to like and subscribe to the HoopsHype podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and anywhere else you listen to podcasts. Listen to the podcast above or check out some snippets of the conversation in a transcribed version below.
Kings guard Malik Monk believes he’s Sixth Man of the Year and wants to re-sign with Sacramento, he told HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto.
Sacramento Kings guard Malik Monk is playing the best basketball of his career, which could result in an NBA award by the end of the season and a sizable pay raise this summer.
While in New York over a recent East Coast road trip, Monk, Kings stars Domantas Sabonis and De’Aaron Fox, and coach Mike Brown spoke with HoopsHype about Monk’s Sixth Man of the Year candidacy and the importance of re-signing Monk in free agency.
Monk’s Sixth Man of the Year candidacy
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According to HoopsHype’s Global Rating, Monk is among the top candidates for the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year award, along with Naz Reid, Bobby Portis, and Bogdan Bogdanovic.
“Monk has to win it,” Sabonis told HoopsHype. “If he doesn’t win it, it’s rigged. He definitely brings energy and light. If we’re down, he’s always up and in a good mood off the court, too, so that really helps during a long season with ups and downs.”
Monk has made a strong case for the award, ranking ahead of Reid and Portis in points per game (15.4) and all four players in assists (5.1) this season. Bogdanovic leads the group in scoring (16.8), while Portis leads in rebounding (7.3).
“There aren’t many guys out there coming off the bench averaging 15 points and five assists on good efficiency,” Fox told HoopsHype. “He affects the game in different ways. If he needs to score 30, he does it. If he needs to have six or eight assists, he’s done it. I think he’s as good as anybody coming off the bench.”
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When asked by HoopsHype where he stacks up in the award race, Monk answered without hesitation.
“Number one, 1,000 percent,” Monk told HoopsHype. “I think I was number one last year, too. I was hoping. I feel like I should win it this year for sure. I feel like nobody off the bench does what I do for the team, especially not just scoring but facilitating and making plays on the defensive end now way more than ever. I think I bring everything off the bench, and I definitely should win.”
At times, a team’s record in the standings can impact votes for an individual award. In the Sixth Man of the Year race, Reid’s Timberwolves will finish among the top teams in the West. Portis’ Bucks will have to weather the storm for the rest of the regular season, likely withoutGiannis Antetokounmpo. Monk’s Kings are still fighting for a potential playoff berth, while Bogdanovic’s Hawks are locked into a Play-In spot.
“It should not even be a debate on Sixth Man of the Year with Malik’s body of work and us fighting for a playoff spot,” Kings coach Mike Brown told HoopsHype. “He should be the hands-down winner.”
Monk’s free agency
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Monk is not only one of the top Sixth Man of the Year candidates, he’s also among the top unrestricted free agents on the market this summer.
“We better keep him,” Sabonis told HoopsHype when asked about Monk’s looming free agency. “I think there’s no excuse. I’ll talk to Monte (McNair) and Vivek (Ranadivé). We’ve got to keep him. He’s a big piece for us moving forward.”
Monk has now appeared in 72 or more games in three straight seasons and has been a consistent player for Sacramento following his two-year, $19.4 million deal in the summer of 2022. Heading into free agency this summer, Sacramento has Early Bird Rights on Monk and can sign him up to a four-year, $78 million contract.
With Monk out due to a sprained MCL in his right knee, he admitted the injury has made him think more about his upcoming free agency, but noted he’s also leery of placing any expectations on his free agency price range this summer.
“I’m comfortable in Sacramento,” Monk told HoopsHype. “I’d love to play here again, for sure. I’ve been here for two years and made friends with everyone, including the training staff and front office. I’d love to be back here.”
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A key to Monk’s comfort level in Sacramento has been reuniting with Fox, his former college teammate at Kentucky. In the years since their days as Wildcats, Fox noted Monk has become a significantly improved playmaker in pick-and-roll sets after being limited to catch-and-shoot jumpers or pull-up jumpers off one dribble in college.
Monk’s chemistry with Fox, adoration from Sabonis, and his relationship with coach Brown have helped him thrive in a career season and could solidify Sacramento as his long-term home.
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“It’s just as easy to see how important Malik is for our organization,” coach Brown told HoopsHype. “He is loved by his teammates, the organization, and the city. Hopefully, his free agency won’t last too long and he’ll be a King long term!”
You can follow Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) on X, formerly known as Twitter.
New York Knicks center Isaiah Hartenstein tells HoopsHype Senior NBA Insider Michael Scotto he wants to re-sign in free agency.
New York Knicks center Isaiah Hartenstein has made the most of his chance as a starter and is earning himself a nice pay raise this summer as one of the top unrestricted free-agent centers on the market.
Several executives who spoke with HoopsHype believe Hartenstein could command around $13 million a year in free agency this summer, roughly the full non-taxpayer mid-level exception.
While averaging career-highs in minutes (24.9), rebounds (8.3), steals (1.1), and following a season-high nine assists in a win versus the Sacramento Kings at Madison Square Garden, Hartenstein spoke to HoopsHype about his free agency future and journey to this point.
Hartenstein discussed falling in the draft unexpectedly, how his time with the Los Angeles Clippers changed his career trajectory, working with Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau behind the scenes to improve defensively, how Nikola Jokic helped him as a passer, and why he’d like to re-sign with the Knicks this summer.
As the regular season winds down, top talents like Jalen Brunson, Zion Williamson, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Rudy Gobert continue to showcase their sneaker game on the NBA courts.
Take a look at some of the best shoes of the week below:
Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell discussed the similarities and differences between playing alongside LeBron James and Kobe Bryant, the unfair injury-prone label on Anthony Davis, his bond with Austin Reaves, and more with HoopsHype Senior NBA Insider Michael Scotto.
Los Angeles Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell recently discussed how he’s handled the pressure of a contract season and wants to remain a Laker in free agency this summer as part of a lengthy interview with HoopsHype.
In the remainder of the interview, Russell explained how the birth of his son, Riley, has changed his life, the similarities and differences between playing alongside LeBron James and Kobe Bryant, how the season has gone for the Lakers, the unfair injury-prone label on Anthony Davis, his bond with Austin Reaves, and more below.
Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell free agency preview and why he’s underrated amid a career year from HoopsHype’s NBA Insider Michael Scotto.
Los Angeles Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell is playing the best basketball of his career in his prime, and it couldn’t have come at a better time.
This season, Russell has shot more efficiently than his All-Star campaign in Brooklyn, shooting 42.3 percent from 3-point range, which ranks third among players ranked in the NBA’s Top 25 in made threes per game.
Since Russell’s son, Riley, was born on September 24, 2022, Russell has averaged 18.0 points on 46.6 percent shooting from the field and 40.9 percent from 3-point range, 6.3 assists, and 3.0 rebounds with a plus-215 rating in 137 games.
According to Russell, the birth of his son helped him know his purpose in every game.
“Everything I do, I’d see his face,” Russell told HoopsHype. “It’s either this or that. What are you going to do? It makes my decision easy when it comes to anything. It does have a change and effect on you. It puts you in this state of mind that it’s mine or I’ll die for it. It’s been good.”
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Russell has an upcoming decision on his $18.69 million player option for the 2024-25 season and is considered one of the top free agents on the market should he decline to exercise his player option and become an unrestricted free agent.
“It’s definitely pressure,” Russell told HoopsHype when asked what it’s like playing in a potential contract season. “It’s something that can eat a lot of people up in the league. A lot of people can be too high at times and too low at times, which causes an emotional roller coaster through the ups and downs of the season. For me, I wanted to control that. I wanted to stay sane and stay even-keeled through the ups and the downs.”
While thriving under the pressure of a contract season, Russell could be of interest to several teams looking for point guard help during free agency this summer.
