On a team with LeBron James and Luka Doncic, Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves tends to slip through the cracks sometimes. But playing alongside the two superstars, Reaves has slowly turned into one of the most valuable wing players in the NBA.
But entering the last guaranteed season of the four-year, $54 million deal he signed with the Lakers in 2023, Reaves has a player option for 2026-27, but could be set for free agency next summer. He turned down a four-year, $89.2 million extension from the franchise months ago, and currently, is set to join James on the free agent market in 2026.
Speaking with Dan Woike of The Athletic, Reaves discussed his mindset throughout this offseason, in which he’s been in rumored trade packages with an unknown future on this Lakers team in flux.
“Still to this day, I sit there and think about, relative to any life, that is a lot of money — a lot, a lot, a lot of money,” Reaves said of the Lakers’ offer. “It’s way more money than if you would’ve ever had. … If you told me when I was in 10th grade … it’s way more money than I thought was ever possible.”
Reaves averaged a career-high 20.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 5.8 assists in 73 games for the Lakers last season. After making roughly $13 million a year, the shooting guard has a player option for about $15 million next year, but could turn it down to join a loaded list of unsigned players next summer.
Reaves Has High Value Around The NBA
According to Woike, an unnamed NBA source said Reaves could demand a contract worth $35 million annually. Though the Lakers were in flux last season by trading Anthony Davis for Doncic, Reaves remained a steady contributor for the team.
His 20-point average while playing alongside Doncic and James is a good sign for other teams around the league hoping they can use him in an even bigger role than he has currently on this Los Angeles roster.
“The Athletic spoke with team and league sources who expect Reaves to earn more than $35 million a year on his next deal,” Woike wrote. “With sources from two teams (neither being the Lakers) speculating that he could command more than $40 million a year.”
Reaves had a higher scoring average than All-Stars Tyrese Haliburton, Alperen Sengun, Evan Mobley, and Bam Adebayo last season, and was one of only 13 players to average at least 20 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 5.5 assists. While he didn’t get the All-Star nod, sources around the league see the potential in the 27-year-old guard.
Reaves sees his own potential as well. When asked about why he turned down the Lakers’ previous offer, the shooting guard gave a blunt response.
“‘Y’all gave me an opportunity…And we appreciate y’all of that,’” Reaves said. “But we didn’t think that the number was the right number. And that’s not saying that we’re gonna go search for a number that’s out of the world…It’s not like we’re trying to just whack ’em over the head for more money than what I deserve. We just want to get what we feel like I’ve put the work in to get.”
Future With The Lakers
Despite his scoring prowess, Reaves’ arrival in Los Angeles as an un-drafted free agent has put a cap on the earnings he can make at this point in his career.
Reaves’ numbers have remained strong, and he continues to be a crucial piece in the Lakers’ success. However, after being named in numerous trade rumors and reports over the summer, Reaves responded directly to those who think he’s a better fit as a role player.
“You can continue to have good years and you show people that you’re capable, but they’re always like, ‘Oh, he’s just a really good role player.’ But then you space me into this role-player category, and I exceed that to a standard,” Reaves said. “And then the people that put me in this category and say that I never will be more than that, they expect me to be like a star. If I really cared, it’s a lose-lose. I will never be able to do enough.”
Reaves’ presence on their roster has come with extreme value. His level of contributions on the offensive side of the ball at less than $14 million per year was a great help for the Lakers, but at this point, his play is now demanding a bigger deal.
But even with a payday on his mind, Reaves said he would prefer to be in a winning situation like he is now over just having personal success. At the same time, he doesn’t listen when seeing his name in rumors and speculation, and Reaves hopes it’s the Lakers who offer him a bigger extension.
“I really don’t think about it,” Reaves said. “I think that if I continue to do what I’ve been doing the last two or three years that it’ll be fine.”
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