Star guard Austin Reaves declined a contract extension from the Los Angeles Lakers this offseason in hopes of earning a more substantial deal next summer.
This is understandable from Reaves' perspective but a bit worrying for fans and the organization because he has a player option for the 2026-2027 NBA season. This means the 27-year-old could decide to take his talents elsewhere, but it appears he plans not to do so.
In an interview with The Athletic's Dan Woike, Reaves provided an update on his future in L.A., saying, "I want to be in L.A. I want to continue to play Virginia Country Club on off days. 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.”
Reaves has steadily improved in each of his four seasons with the Lakers, averaging 20.2 points, 5.8 assists, and 4.5 rebounds on 46% shooting and 37.7% from three-point range in the 2024-2025 campaign. The offer he reportedly turned down this summer was worth $89.2 million over the next four years.
Accepting this deal would have placed him in a similar annual pay range to the likes of Dillon Brooks, Kyle Kuzma, and Aaron Gordon.
The backcourt partner of Luka Doncic also explained to Woike why he decided to decline this payday from the Lakers.
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“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," Reaves shared.
It is clear Reaves has a desire to remain alongside Doncic and with the Lakers for the foreseeable future, but the parties will need to come to a long-term agreement before a more appealing situation presents itself.
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