The Los Angeles Lakers have gotten off to a strong start behind Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves this season, and the latter appears on track to receive a lucrative new deal next offseason.
Reaves is expected to decline his $14.9 million player option after the 2025-26 campaign. The rising star has been impressive to start the season, averaging 30.3 points, 9.0 assists, 5.1 rebounds and 1.5 steals across 36.8 minutes per game through eight regular-season appearances.
The 27-year-old shooting guard has progressively improved since joining the Lakers. The Oklahoma product went undrafted in 2021 and signed a two-way contract with Los Angeles before having his deal converted to a standard pact. With his fifth year underway, he'll look to continue his impressive play and help lead the Lakers on a deep playoff run.
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Austin Reaves discusses his Lakers future
Reaves reportedly turned down a four-year, $89.2 million extension ahead of the 2025-26 season, betting on himself after a career-best year in 2024-25. Now, he appears on track to deliver another career year and is eligible to sign a five-year, $241 million contract with the Lakers next summer.
While Reaves could reportedly make $178.5 million over four years elsewhere, he told ESPN's Dave McMenamin that he wants to remain on the team and is dedicated to helping the Lakers build something special.
“I try not to think about it. Honestly, I’ve said it a million times. I want to be in L.A. I love it,” Reaves said. “Even though the other extension was turned down, that doesn't mean that I'm trying to go get a f—ing gigantic number that don't make sense. 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.”
If Reaves wishes to re-sign with the Lakers, the team will certainly look to bring him back. While he should have several suitors across the league, he has made it clear his goal is to stay in L.A. And build a winning culture alongside Doncic.
Getting a deal done will be an important task for Reaves and the Lakers down the road, but for now, the team will look to ride the red-hot duo of Doncic and Reaves. With superstar LeBron James, who is on an expiring contract and has yet to make his season debut due to sciatica, likely nearing a return to action, the trio has high expectations for the campaign.
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