Country Music and Custom Pillows. That’s How the Lakers Kept Austin Reaves.

The Los Angeles Lakers didn’t just throw money at Austin Reaves. They softened him up first with country music and throw pillows.

According to a report from Shams Charania on NBA Today, the Lakers made their pitch to Reaves shortly after the NBA Finals in a private room at the team’s practice facility. The setup wasn’t your typical business meeting. They played his favorite country music through the speakers. They had custom pillows with his initials — AR — waiting for everyone in the room. It was flattery, personal and deliberate.

“It’s nice to get AR-initialed pillows for yourself but it all comes down to the money,” Charania said.

And the money is historic. Four years, $185 million. That’s the richest contract ever signed by an undrafted player in NBA history.

The Pistons made them pay up

Here’s the part that probably pushed the Lakers off the fence. Charania reported that over the 24 to 48 hours before the deal, the Lakers realized Reaves had multiple max offers waiting for him if he hit free agency on July 1. One team coming hard was the Detroit Pistons. That forced L.A.’s hand. They stepped up and got it done.

Reaves has earned it. He averaged 23.3 points, 5.5 assists, 4.7 rebounds and 1.1 steals this season, shooting 49% from the field and 36% from three. When both LeBron James and Luka Doncic were out with injuries early in the year, Reaves carried the offense. When Doncic returned, they formed a two-man attack that powered the Lakers to a 53-29 record and the fourth seed in the Western Conference.

Reaves is a starter now. A core piece. And the Lakers made sure he knew it — with a soundtrack and some very comfortable pillows.