The Los Angeles Lakers were the most disappointing team in the NBA this past season. Despite coming in with championship aspirations and a lot of hype, the squad failed to make the playoffs altogether.
One of the only bright spots for L.A. this season was the stellar play of rookie, Austin Reaves. He averaged 7.3 points per game on 46 percent shooting from the field and 31.7 percent shooting from beyond the arc on the year – which is objectively solid production.
Reaves also left a great taste in everyone’s mouths at the end of the season, when he exploded for 31 points, 16 rebounds and 10 assists in the Lakers’ season finale against the Denver Nuggets.
In light of the promise he showed at the end of the season, Reaves earned himself a lucrative new shoe deal.
OFFICIAL: Lakers wing Austin Reaves has signed a multi-year shoe deal with Rigorer, becoming the Chinese brand’s
1st NBA endorser.He’ll headline the War Ender 1.0 Pro shoe next season. pic.twitter.com/ZuX8tMd7pR
— Nick DePaula (@NickDePaula) April 28, 2022
Reactions to the news poured in immediately:
copping a pair of War Enders stat https://t.co/miYjmzUEvg
— BeastBossNasty (@BeastBackNasty) April 28, 2022
These kinda fire and with a name like War Ender, I mean come on https://t.co/wyMk8DZqcV
— William I (@WillyWill52) April 28, 2022
Hol onnnn na…..these joints kinda hard https://t.co/ypU0KsVLYp
— CAM H (@its__CAM) April 28, 2022
Austin Reaves with the bag!#lakers https://t.co/bhFGR50cX7
— hoop.statistics (@StatisticsHoop) April 28, 2022
A lot of people also couldn’t help but remark that these shoes actually looked nicer than LeBron James’ latest Nike kicks. And considering that James is on a billion dollar deal with Nike, clearly that’s a notable degree of praise for Reaves.
This is going to be a summer of change for the Lakers. There are four teams vying to take Russell Westbrook; Anthony Davis trade rumors have gotten so loud that even he is addressing them; and two teams are trying to steal away Carmelo Anthony.
That’s one way to do it.https://t.co/d5YLgsOnHX
— Game 7 (@game7__) April 28, 2022
It’s unclear what will happen from here.
The only thing certain heading into 2022-23 is that Reaves will be on the roster. And when he suits up, he’s going to be wearing a nifty pair of new shoes.
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Charles Kruger has been credentialed to cover two Super Bowls, four NBA Finals, and one World Series. A 20-year veteran in the sports world, he has sources spanning the NBA, MLB, NFL, UFC and NASCAR. Currently residing in Los Angeles, Calif., he is Game 7’s go-to source for rumors surrounding the Lakers, Clippers and Dodgers.
