Austin Reaves, the Los Angeles Lakers guard, is anticipated to secure a contract worth $30 million annually, as reported by <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/basketball/nba/”>NBA insider Jovan Buha. Reaves is planning to commit his entire NBA career to the Lakers, signaling strong loyalty to the franchise.
Projected Contract Details and Player Options
Reaves is expected to decline his player option for the 2026-27 season, which is currently valued at $14.9 million. This move aims to clear the way for him to sign a new, more lucrative deal with the Lakers the following summer. After signing a four-year, $53.8 million contract with the team in July 2023, Reaves will earn $13.9 million for the 2025-26 season.
Performance and Role Within the Lakers Lineup
The undrafted guard had an impressive 2024-25 season, averaging 20.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, 5.8 assists, 1.1 steals, and 0.3 blocks over 73 games. He shot 46.0% from the field, 37.7% from three-point range, and 87.7% from the free-throw line, ranking as the team’s third-leading scorer behind Luka Dončić and LeBron James.
During the first round of the 2025 playoffs against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Reaves averaged 16.2 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 3.6 assists while battling a serious toe injury. His shooting dipped to 41.1% overall and 31.9% from beyond the arc, yet he remained a key contributor in the five-game series despite the Lakers’ early exit.
Career Overview and Team Commitment
At 27 years old, Reaves has posted career averages of 14.5 points, 3.8 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 0.7 steals, and 0.3 blocks during his time with the Lakers. The franchise has declined multiple trade offers for the Arkansas native, underscoring their belief in his value. Next season, he is expected to start alongside Dončić, Rui Hachimura, LeBron James, and Deandre Ayton.
Lakers’ Championship Outlook and Team Dynamics
Los Angeles holds the sixth-best preseason odds for the 2026 NBA championship, trailing teams like the Oklahoma City Thunder, New York Knicks, Cleveland Cavaliers, Houston Rockets, and Minnesota Timberwolves. The Lakers have not won an NBA title since 2020. They reached the conference finals in 2023 but were swept by the Denver Nuggets.
Industry Insight on Reaves’ Value and Future
“People around the league are penciling him in to make $30+ million this summer whether it’s with the Lakers or someone else. I expect it to be with the Lakers…he wants to be a Laker for life”
—Jovan Buha, NBA Insider