The Los Angeles Lakers face a tense situation as the future contract of Austin Reaves remains unclear, even after Luka Doncic secured a three-year, $165 million extension. While the Lakers seem committed to Doncic as their core, the team’s general manager, Rob Pelinka, must now carefully navigate Reaves’ looming contract negotiations, balancing financial and strategic considerations. The spotlight is on whether Reaves, who had a breakout season, will command a contract around $30 million, as rumored, amid defensive concerns and roster dynamics.
Reaves, a 27-year-old Sooners alum, has made significant strides offensively, averaging 20.2 points, 5.8 assists, and 4.5 rebounds last season despite being the third scoring option. However, he declined a four-year extension offer reportedly valued at nearly $90 million, and insiders believe the Lakers will struggle to convince him to opt into his $14.8 million player option for the 2026-27 season. An anonymous <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/basketball/nba/”>NBA executive told ESPN that Reaves could fetch over $30 million on the open market, a figure Pelinka is fully aware of but must approach with caution.
Defensive Challenges Highlighted in Discussions About Reaves and Doncic
Former NBA player Austin Rivers expressed some warnings for the Lakers’ front office on his podcast. He emphasized the importance of surrounding Doncic with a capable defender, especially when sharing the floor with Reaves, whose defensive lapses have been documented statistically. In fact, the Lakers’ defensive rating increases significantly when both are on the floor: from 106.8 points allowed per 100 possessions to over 114. This defensive weakness raises concerns, considering that the Lakers’ defense further deteriorates with LeBron James also on the court.
Data from 870 possessions where Doncic, James, and Reaves played together show the Lakers’ defensive rating placed them in the 14th percentile league-wide, indicating a serious vulnerability. With Doncic locked into a lucrative extension, he is expected to continue as the primary leader on court. Meanwhile, LeBron James’ availability will likely guarantee his playing time, which could reduce Reaves’ minutes and role, possibly pushing him toward a sixth-man position.
Despite these issues, Rivers remains optimistic about Reaves’ potential. He noted that although Reaves struggled during certain matchups, his offensive impact justifies a substantial contract.
“He didn’t play as great as versus Minnesota. And some of those matchups were problematic for him. But I still think Reeves is a big time player. If you average in 20 points a game dog, you can get 25 to 30 million a year… Anybody who’s averaging 20 or above is making $30 million a year, man…”
Rivers said on the Off Guard podcast.
Rob Pelinka’s Strategy for Securing Reaves’ Role in the Lakers’ Future
Following a noticeable dip in Reaves’ shooting performance during the first-round series against the Minnesota Timberwolves last year—where his field goal percentage fell from 46% to 41.1%, and his three-point accuracy dropped from 37.7% to 31.9%—Reaves is expected to rebound and prove his value to the team. Pelinka reportedly sees Reaves as integral to the Lakers‘ long-term plan, according to Yossi Gozlan of ‘Third Apron’.
The Lakers are more or less married to their current roster for the next two years, with the biggest factor being LeBron James. They could bring him back on a one-year maximum-level contract in 2026-27 as they wait out their cap space plans. But Doncic and Reaves are the two priorities in their quest for a star.
—Yossi Gozlan, Reporter
This statement underscores that, while LeBron James’ contract situation remains fluid, the Lakers view Doncic and Reaves as central pillars moving forward. Reaves has publicly expressed his desire to retire as a Laker, but the harsh realities of the NBA’s business side remain a constant. If the Lakers determine his defensive struggles outweigh his offensive contributions, a trade could be on the table, similar to how the Dallas Mavericks parted ways with Doncic initially due to defense concerns.
Potential Outcomes for Austin Reaves as the Lakers’ Defensive Concerns Persist
The Lakers are caught between rewarding Reaves’ offensive production with a lucrative contract or adjusting their roster to shore up defensive liabilities. With Doncic’s extension in place and LeBron’s unpredictable future, Pelinka’s decisions regarding Reaves will shape the team’s trajectory. If Reaves improves on defense, he could solidify his position as a key Lakers star deserving of a $30 million-per-year contract. Failing that, the franchise might consider trading him to balance roster needs.
Reaves’ case highlights broader challenges for teams in managing productive but defensively inconsistent players. For the Lakers, who aim to compete at the highest level, these decisions are urgent and critical. Fans and analysts will closely watch how Pelinka manages this delicate balancing act in the coming months as the NBA offseason and next season approach.