Like the Los Angeles Lakers’ other two stars, Luka Doncic and LeBron James, Austin Reaves comprehends he has a pivotal summer ahead.
Reaves, who’s eligible for a $89.2 million extension following his breakout season, made his final decision on the matter before the start of July.
“League sources told The Athletic that Reaves formally declined a max extension with the Lakers this week that would’ve paid him $89.2 million over the next four seasons,” The Athletic’s Dan Woike wrote Thursday.
“He’s about to start the third year of a four-year, $54 million contract he signed as a restricted free agent in 2023 — also the max number he could receive from the Lakers at the time.”
“The decision, league sources said, wasn’t a reflection of Reaves and the Lakers’ relationship. Instead, it’s almost a foregone conclusion considering the limitations placed on the amount the Lakers were allowed to offer this week.”
Reaves woke many doubters up during the 2024-25 campaign. Individuals who weren’t sold on Reaves heading into the year were forced to respect his upward climb in Year 4.
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The undrafted 6-foot-5 guard averaged 20.2 points, 5.8 assists, and 4.5 rebounds with the Lakers, shooting 46.0% from the field and 37.7% from three.
Due to Reaves’ stellar regular season showing, fans expected to see a similar version of the 27-year-old where it matters most: the postseason.
While Reaves doesn’t deserve sole blame for Los Angeles’ embarrassing first-round performance (they only secured one playoff win in five tries against the Minnesota Timberwolves), he certainly didn’t play his best basketball in late April.
Reaves contributed 16.2 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per contest, connecting on 41.1% of his field goals and 31.9% of his three-point jumpers.
The well-known No. 3 scoring option’s decision to decline an $89.2 max extension with Los Angeles may surprise some, but it’s a calculated move that ESPN’s Bobby Marks brought to light last Sunday.
“The four-year, $53.8 million deal Austin Reaves signed in 2023 is considered one of the best value deals in the league. Reaves’ $13.9 million salary next season is below the non-tax midlevel exception,” Marks wrote.
“But the bargain contract also could play a role in Reaves deciding to become an unrestricted free agent in the 2026 offseason. Because of his team-friendly salary, the maximum extension the Lakers can offer is four years, $89.2 million. The first-year salary of $19.9 million is 140% of the average player salary, the maximum allowed under the CBA.”
“If Reaves bypasses the extension and becomes a free agent, the Lakers and teams with cap space would be allowed to sign him next offseason to a contract worth up to 25% of the salary cap. His first-year starting salary in that contract would be $42.5 million.”
If Reaves performs well from start to finish next season, he could be in for a massive payday in 2026.
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