Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves is playing himself into superstar money — and perhaps one of the most lucrative contracts in franchise history.
The undrafted Arkansas native has exploded into the national spotlight after averaging 40 points per game over a three-game stretch without LeBron James and Luka Dončić, capped by his game-winning floater at the buzzer Wednesday night to lift the Lakers past the Minnesota Timberwolves, 116–115.
Now, his red-hot run has amplified the biggest question hanging over the Lakers’ future: How much will it cost to keep him?
Reaves’ Free-Agency Value Skyrockets
Before the season began, The Athletic’s Dan Woike reported that Reaves is projected to be among the most coveted free agents next summer, with potential offers surpassing $40 million annually.
“If he has a good year, he could be a fringe All-Star candidate for sure,” The Ringer’s Zach Lowe said on his podcast, The Zach Lowe Show. “And honestly, the max is not out of the question.”
Woike added that the league’s rising salary cap could push Reaves’ maximum offer from rival teams to around $42 million per year, placing him in the same financial tier as All-Star guards like Trae Young.
“If he plays well, there will be offers north of $40 million for him,” Woike said. “With the cap jump, his max from another team starts around $42 million. It’s him and Trae — those are the free agents everyone’s watching.”
Lakers Hold the Edge Financially
Under NBA rules, only the Lakers can offer Reaves a five-year maximum deal, which is projected to be worth $240.7 million, according to Bleacher Report’s Dan Favale.
Other teams are capped at four years and $178.5 million, while a four-year max from Los Angeles would reach $185.9 million — still the highest possible total.
Reaves declined a four-year, $89.2 million offer from the Lakers last summer and is expected to opt out of his $14.9 million player option after this season to test the open market.
At least 10 teams are projected to have significant cap space next offseason, per ESPN front office insider Bobby Marks, ensuring a competitive bidding war.
Lakers Face a Financial Crossroads
The Lakers’ decision will hinge on how far they are willing to go alongside Dončić, who signed a three-year, $165 million deal this past offseason.
A full Reaves max extension would leave the Lakers no room for another top-tier star. They will also walk the financial tightrope to dance around the NBA’s second-apron luxury-tax tier — a punitive level that limits trades, free-agent flexibility, and draft maneuverability.
The calculus may come down to whether the Lakers see Reaves as Dončić’s long-term backcourt partner or as a trade-ready asset for another star.
Redick and Ownership Back Reaves’ Rise
Head coach JJ Redick didn’t hesitate when asked if Reaves deserves to be part of the Lakers’ future core.
“He’s established himself as a bad dude,” Redick told The Athletic. “Last year, I think leaguewide, he was viewed as a really good player. Now, he’s a leader. He’s one of the guys — or the guy — on the court. That’s big-time.”
The Lakers also have new financial firepower after billionaire Mark Walter — owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers — was approved as the team’s new majority owner. Walter’s track record of spending big in MLB suggests the Lakers won’t shy away from major investments.
Still, the NBA’s restrictive cap rules mean Los Angeles can’t simply buy its way out of roster decisions. The modern “two-star” model leaves little to no room for a third maximum-salaried player.
The Franchise’s Defining Offseason Looms
Reaves’ breakout has made him both indispensable and expensive. The Lakers must soon decide whether to lock in a $240 million commitment or explore trade scenarios for a complementary star beside Dončić.
Either way, Reaves’ meteoric rise from undrafted prospect to potential max player stands as one of the most remarkable success stories in recent Lakers history — and the next chapter could reshape the franchise’s future.
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