Lakers secure Austin Reaves with four-year, $180 million extension
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Los Angeles — The Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday confirmed a four-year, $180 million near-maximum contract extension for guard Austin Reaves, ensuring the 27-year-old remains a central piece of the franchise’s long-term plans.
“Austin’s relentless drive to improve, his competitiveness and his focus on winning have made him indispensable to our organization,” president of basketball operations and general manager Rob Pelinka said in a statement. “We are excited to keep building with him as a cornerstone while we chase more championships.”
Reaves has spent all five of his NBA seasons in purple and gold. Last year he posted career-high averages of 23.3 points, 4.7 rebounds and 5.5 assists over 51 games, thriving alongside superstar Luka Doncic. With LeBron James departing in free agency, Reaves is now the longest-tenured player on the roster.
The guard reiterated that remaining with the Lakers was always his priority. “I love basketball, I want to compete and I want to win,” Reaves recently said when asked about the deal.
New supporting cast
The Lakers have overhauled the roster this summer, bringing in Walker Kessler, Quentin Grimes, Sandro Mamukelashvili, Colin Sexton, Kevon Looney and Ziaire Williams. Reaves welcomed the changes, noting that while he will miss longtime teammates, the additions provide “a good opportunity to turn the page and see what’s next.”
Los Angeles will now look to Reaves and Doncic to guide the team toward an 18th NBA championship.
Source: LakersNation.com
