Lakers Expected to Offer Austin Reaves More Than $30 Million Per Season
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Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves is effectively headed into a contract year, with only a $14.9 million player option remaining for 2026-27. League executives told ESPN’s Tim Bontemps they believe the 27-year-old will attract offers averaging more than $30 million annually once he reaches unrestricted free agency.
The Lakers tried to lock Reaves into an extension this summer, but NBA rules limited the franchise to a deal worth roughly $23 million per season over four years. Reaves declined, betting he can secure a richer agreement after the 2025-26 campaign.
One executive quoted by ESPN said simply, “I think he will get 30 plus,” a view echoed by multiple front-office sources. Recent market comps include Mikal Bridges’ four-year, $150 million extension with the New York Knicks. While Bridges’ defensive profile could push his number higher, Reaves is still expected to land somewhere in the $120-130 million range on a new four-year contract.
Reaves has grown into a fan favorite in Los Angeles, improving his production every season and developing notable on-court chemistry with Lakers star Luka Dončić. Despite the potential for a substantial payday elsewhere, team and league insiders continue to project that both sides will ultimately agree on a long-term deal.
Imagem: Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images via lakersnation.com
Reaves has publicly stated his desire to spend his entire career with the Lakers, and the organization has repeatedly expressed confidence in his future. Unless negotiations take an unexpected turn, the guard’s next contract is widely expected to keep him in purple and gold well beyond 2026.
Source: Lakers Nation
