Austin Reaves Expected to Pursue Maximum Contract in Free Agency
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Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves plans to decline his 2026-27 player option and enter unrestricted free agency in the coming weeks, according to Broderick Turner of the Los Angeles Times during an appearance on Spectrum SportsNet.
“Based on what I understand, what I keep hearing, Austin wants the max,” Turner said, adding that it is unclear whether Reaves would consider a hometown discount to remain with the Lakers.
Under the NBA’s latest salary-cap projections, a five-year maximum deal with Los Angeles would be worth an estimated $239.3 million. A rival team could offer a four-year max valued at approximately $177.4 million.
League observers believe Reaves may need a cap-space club—such as the Bulls or Nets—to enter the bidding in order to push his price to the top tier. Without outside pressure, the Lakers would regain leverage in negotiations.
The 28-year-old guard has previously expressed a desire to stay in Los Angeles. ESPN’s Bobby Marks recently projected that a four-year, $155 million package might be enough for the Lakers to retain him. However, scouts and executives surveyed by ESPN’s Tim Bontemps suggested Reaves could land closer to $200 million over five years.
“I’d be pretty surprised if the first year starts with a three instead of a four,” one Eastern Conference scout told ESPN. “The Lakers need to keep him, and by all accounts he wants to be there, so I think they make it work.”
Health issues limited Reaves to 51 games in 2025-26, but he delivered career-best production when available, averaging 23.3 points on .490/.360/.871 shooting, along with 5.5 assists, 4.7 rebounds and 1.1 steals per contest.
Source: Hoops Rumors
