Austin Reaves re-signing with LA for whopping $56 million has NBA fans elated: “Lakers got unlimited money”

Austin Reaves will be returning to the LA Lakers on a $56 million contract after a breakout year with the team last season. After the franchise was eliminated from the NBA playoffs by the Denver Nuggets, it was expected that Reaves would garner quite a bit of money in free agency.While the team expressed a desire to retain him heading into the 2023-24 season, many wondered whether the team could match offers made by other teams. Now, on the heels of the team signing Gabe Vincent from Miami, reports have emerged of Reaves signing a four-year $56 million deal to return to LA.The news quickly spread like wildfire, with many LA fans elated that Reaves would be returning, and others wondering how the Lakers can afford all these contracts.Shams Charania@ShamsCharaniaRFA Austin Reaves has agreed to return to the Los Angeles Lakers on a four-year, $56 million Early Bird maximum contract, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Agents Aaron Reilly and Reggie Berry of AMR Agency negotiated the new deal to keep Reaves in L.A. long term.211584518RFA Austin Reaves has agreed to return to the Los Angeles Lakers on a four-year, $56 million Early Bird maximum contract, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Agents Aaron Reilly and Reggie Berry of AMR Agency negotiated the new deal to keep Reaves in L.A. long term.MVP43🐐@StepBackPascal@ShamsCharania @TheAthletic @Stadium Lakers got unlimited money4394@ShamsCharania @TheAthletic @Stadium Lakers got unlimited money🙇🏽@CruxifyDaGod@ShamsCharania @TheAthletic @Stadium452@ShamsCharania @TheAthletic @Stadium https://t.co/kuTlFAVygFLeBron Muse@BronMuse@ShamsCharania @TheAthletic @Stadium GIVE ROB PELINKA EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR NOW 27612@ShamsCharania @TheAthletic @Stadium GIVE ROB PELINKA EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR NOW 😭🔥🔥Jas☆n💫@JasonM_VII@ShamsCharania @TheAthletic @Stadium So the cap space doesn't affect the lakers i see251@ShamsCharania @TheAthletic @Stadium So the cap space doesn't affect the lakers i seeCrumbletakes@Crumbletakes@ShamsCharania @TheAthletic @Stadium Good deal for them I definitely think bringing him back was good52@ShamsCharania @TheAthletic @Stadium Good deal for them I definitely think bringing him back was goodPRX@PRX113@ShamsCharania @TheAthletic @Stadium At all “experts” who thought Lakers is going pay him $80-$100M953@ShamsCharania @TheAthletic @Stadium At all “experts” who thought Lakers is going pay him $80-$100M https://t.co/aM5K6ivE8v💫@ReavesWrld__@ShamsCharania @TheAthletic @Stadium LETS GOOOOP391@ShamsCharania @TheAthletic @Stadium LETS GOOOOPRudi@SpallacciRudi@ShamsCharania @TheAthletic @Stadium INJECT INTO MY VEINS86@ShamsCharania @TheAthletic @Stadium INJECT INTO MY VEINSAndy@AndyJPuente@ShamsCharania @TheAthletic @Stadium Man the Lakers have been killing the off-season so far2715@ShamsCharania @TheAthletic @Stadium Man the Lakers have been killing the off-season so farjeff@DedicationHoops@ShamsCharania @SlimChamberlin @TheAthletic @Stadium honestly kind of a steal43@ShamsCharania @SlimChamberlin @TheAthletic @Stadium honestly kind of a stealBlank@0xblank_@ShamsCharania @TheAthletic @Stadium11@ShamsCharania @TheAthletic @Stadium https://t.co/GkDqDFz9SCAustin Reaves' role with the LA LakersWith the LA Lakers signing Gabe Vincent, there has been much speculation as to whether or not Austin Reaves will start for the LA Lakers. Last season he emerged as an impressive two-way threat, earning high praise from his teammates and the Lakers front office.Fortunately for the franchise, it has managed to retain its young stars early in free agency. In addition to picking up Jarred Vanderbilt's team option, it has also locked down deals for Rui Hachimura and Austin Reaves, just like Rob Pelinka wanted.Denver Nuggets v Los Angeles Lakers - Game Three(Suggested Reading: Fans react to Damian Lillard requesting trade)Following the trade deadline, Pelinka was quoted by LakersNation as saying:“Austin in particular had an incredible year. I think he defines really what’s at the heart of playing for the Lakers. He’s a selfless team-first guy, he lives in the gym, he loves the big moment, he’s been able to meet the big moment.&quot;I think he’s a guy that regardless of what his deal is, I don’t think it’s going to change him as a person and we’ll hang our hat on guys like that. That compete love the game, love their teammates. I think we’re proud to have him as part of this franchise.&quot;With the Lakers jumping out to an early lead in regard to best free-agency moves, it will be interesting to see what the next few weeks bring.(Suggested Reading: Top 5 free agents remaining after day one of free agency)