Lakers’ Austin Reaves cuts four years, $89.2 million in contract offer
Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves reportedly declined an extension offer.
According to Dan Woike of Track and Field, Reaves rejected the four years he was eligible to sign this summer, up to $89.2 million. Woike noted, “the restrictions on the Lakers allowed to provide this week.”
Woike said that means “not a reflection of the relationship between Reaves and the Lakers.” Los Angeles is more focused on finding the right deal than simply reaching a deal.
Austin Reaves has the option to exit the current transaction
Reaves enters its third season of a four-year, $53.8 million contract signed in July 2023. His 2026-27 season has $14.9 million player options.
He could opt out of the deal and become an unrestricted free agent next summer when he expected to “direct a lot more than the most profitable extension the Lakers allowed this summer,” he said.
With a four-year, $89.2 million contract, Reaves’ average annual salary will still earn more, with a price of $30 million. This will also give the Lakers more flexibility to build around Luka Doncic.
Reeves wants to stay with the Lakers
Earlier this month, at his youth basketball camp in Arkansas, Reeves told local TV stations that he hopes to remain purple and gold throughout his career.
“I want to go to Los Angeles. I want to play my whole career in Los Angeles. I love it. I love the fans. I love the weather, I love golf,” Reaves told K8 News. “Obviously, the Lakers are the best organization in basketball.”
Reaves received an unselected free agent in 2021, with career highs of 20.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, 5.8 assists, 1.1 steals and 34.9 minutes in each game in 73 games (all started).
In a 124-117 victory over the Indiana Pacers on February 8, the 27-year-old scored a career-high 45 points (53.8%) in 26 shots, shooting 45% from the field (53.8%) and shooting 4-for-4 from 3-pointers (44.4%).
LeBron James, Luka Doncic can sign new deal
LeBron James turned 41 in December, has a $52.6 million player choice and can re-enter the free agent. It was part of a two-year, $101.35 million contract he signed last July.
Both Dorian Finney-Smith and James must choose next season by June 29. Finney-Smith’s choice is worth $15.37 million, and his deal includes a 5% trade bonus.
If James signs or signs a new contract this summer with a comparable starting salary, the Lakers will be taxed at least $1.3 million more than luxury, according to ESPN’s Bobby Marks.
Meanwhile, Doncic is not a free agent, but is eligible to sign a $229 million extension on August 2. If a new contract is not reached, he will become a free agent in the summer of 2026.
