LOS ANGELES — With the Los Angeles Lakers’ season over after a second-round sweep by the reigning champion Oklahoma City Thunder, guard Austin Reaves is preparing for what could be his first trip to unrestricted free agency.
The 27-year-old holds a $14.9 million player option for 2026-27, a figure he is widely expected to decline following the best campaign of his five-year career. Speaking in the wake of the Lakers’ Game 4 loss on May 11 at Crypto.com Arena, Reaves said he has not begun weighing his next contract.
“I take life day by day,” Reaves told reporters. “I’m blessed to play this game and to play for this organization. I really don’t think about what I’m going to do in the future.”
Record season raises market value
Reaves averaged 23.3 points, 4.7 rebounds and 5.5 assists over 51 regular-season games, shooting 49 percent from the field and 36 percent from three-point range. The performance positions him for a major payday; the Lakers could offer a five-year deal worth up to $241 million, although a full maximum salary is considered unlikely.
The franchise also is expected to consider Reaves’ on- and off-court connection with star guard Luka Dončić as it decides how aggressively to pursue a new agreement.
Continued improvement remains priority
Reaves credited incremental progress for his rise from undrafted free agent in 2021 to key starter, and he intends to keep that trajectory.
“This was obviously my best season as a pro,” he said. “But that’s the beauty of basketball—there’s always room to grow. I’ll take some time off, get back in the gym and keep getting better.”
The Lakers signed Reaves out of the University of Oklahoma, and both player and organization have repeatedly expressed mutual admiration. Whether that bond extends into a new contract will be determined once free agency opens this summer.
Source: LakersNation.com
