The Los Angeles Lakers have secured guard Austin Reaves with a four-year, maximum-salary contract worth approximately $185 million. Reaves, who previously had a $14.9 million player option for the 2026/27 season, will forgo that to extend his tenure in Los Angeles. The 28-year-old has shown remarkable improvement since joining the NBA, culminating in a career-high average of 23.3 points per game last season, despite facing injury challenges. Retaining Reaves, especially after interest from teams like the Nets and Pistons, was a crucial offseason objective for the Lakers.

By the Numbers
  • Contract valued at approximately $185 million over four years.
  • Averaged 23.3 points, 5.5 assists, and 4.7 rebounds in the 2025/26 season.
State of Play
  • The Lakers prioritized retaining Reaves amid competition from other teams.
  • His new deal marks the highest contract for an undrafted player in NBA history.
What's Next

Expect the Lakers to navigate their cap strategy thoughtfully, potentially focusing on retaining or upgrading their roster while factoring in Reaves' significant contract. This deal might set the tone for future negotiations with other players.

Bottom Line

Retaining Austin Reaves reflects the Lakers' commitment to building around emerging talents, impacting their long-term strategy and financial maneuvering in future seasons.