Austin Reaves’ Early Scoring Surge Strengthens Free-Agent Outlook
austin-reaves-early-surge-strengthens-free-agent-outlook
The Los Angeles Lakers have gone 2–1 without injured stars LeBron James and Luka Dončić thanks largely to guard Austin Reaves, who has strung together a trio of standout performances in his contract year.
Reaves poured in 51 points at Sacramento on Sunday, added 41 against Portland on Monday, and hit the game-winning jumper Wednesday in Minnesota while posting 28 points and 16 assists. “That guy is going to show up in the big moments,” head coach JJ Redick said after the victory over the Timberwolves, according to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin.
Career-Best Numbers
The 27-year-old is averaging 34.2 points, 10.0 assists, and 5.6 rebounds through five games, shooting 52.5% from the field and 38.5% from three-point range. His 10.4 made free throws per game lead the NBA.
Contract Stakes
Reaves holds a $14.9 million player option for the 2026-27 season and is widely expected to decline it. Although he is currently eligible for a four-year, $87.4 million extension, league sources cited by ESPN’s Tim Bontemps believe he will wait for unrestricted free agency in 2026, where projections start at $30 million annually.
“Someone is going to pay him a lot of money next summer,” a Western Conference executive told ESPN. Another executive speculated Reaves could draw offers approaching $180 million over four seasons, noting the Lakers could counter with a five-year proposal that no rival can exceed.
“I don’t think he’ll keep up this exact pace once LeBron returns,” the second executive added, “but the Lakers intend to keep him and he intends to stay, so my guess is it gets done.”
Source: HoopsRumors
