It’s no secret that the Los Angeles Lakers have plans to preserve cap space over the next few years, with hopes of enticing Giannis Antetokounmpo or Nikola Jokic in free agency. A part of that plan depends on Austin Reaves, an unrestricted free agent in 2026, taking a pay cut and helping the Lakers shoot for the stars.
In a positive update, Reaves has all but confirmed that he isn’t seeking a “gigantic” deal from the Lakers when he hits the open market in July 2026.
“Even though the other extension (four-year, $89 million) was turned down, that doesn’t mean that I’m trying to go get a f—ing gigantic number that don’t make sense,” Reaves told ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, hinting that he’d be open to a pay cut.
“I want to be here, I want to win. I want to do everything that can help this organization be better. So I don’t try to think about those things.”
Austin Reaves Due for Big Payday
Reaves, who turned down a four-year, $89 million extension from the Lakers last summer, is eligible for a massive day as an unrestricted free agent in 2026. According to ESPN’s Bobby Marks, Reaves could either sign a five-year, $241 million max deal with the Lakers or ink a four-year $178.5 million deal with another suitor.
Some analysts have suggested that Reaves, in the middle of a career year, could be tempted to go the latter route, as doing so would give him a larger role. Minnesota Timberwolves legend Kevin Garnett, for example, feels Reaves could be “auditioning” for a No. 1 spot with another team, citing the fact that his numbers skyrocket when LeBron James and Luka Doncic are not in the Lakers lineup.
Lakers Have Big Plans for 2027
If Reaves accepts a team-friendly deal, the Lakers may still maintain financial flexibility to chase either Jokic or Antetokounmpo in 2027, when both MVPs could become free agents. That year, the likes of Karl-Anthony Towns, Kawhi Leonard, Donovan Mitchell, Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis could also become unrestricted free agents.
Earlier this year, ClutchPoints’ Anthony Irwin reported that the Lakers did not offer LeBron James a new contract this summer to ensure their books are clean for 2027.
It’s worth noting that the Lakers could open more than $60 million in cap space next year if they let Reaves, Rui Hachimura, Gabe Vincent, Maxi Kleber and Jaxson Hayes walk as free agents, and if Marcus Smart and Deandre Ayton turn down their player options for the 2026-27 season.
However, the 2026 free-agency class isn’t nearly as loaded as 2027, with Trae Young, a 41-year-old LeBron James and Kristaps Porzingis expected to be the headliners.
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