Lakers guard Austin Reaves is expected to decline his 2026/27 player option and become an unrestricted free agent in a matter of weeks. At that point, he’ll be one of the top players on the market and will likely be seeking a contract that reflects that fact, Broderick Turner of The Los Angeles Times said during an appearance on Spectrum SportsNet (Twitter video link).
“Based on what I understand, what I keep hearing, Austin wants the max,” Turner said. “Is he willing to give the Lakers a hometown deal? I’m not so sure about that. Maybe he does, but maybe his reps don’t want to.”
Based on the latest salary cap estimate provided by the NBA, a five-year, maximum-salary deal for Reaves with the Lakers would be worth a projected $239.3MM, while a four-year max deal with a rival suitor would be worth $177.4MM.
While Reaves is certainly in line for a lucrative payday this summer, he’d likely need a rival team with cap room, such as the Bulls or Nets, to get involved in the bidding in order to drive his price up to – or near – his maximum. Without another suitor putting pressure on them, the Lakers would regain some leverage in contract negotiations.
Reaves has spoken in the past about wanting to stick with the Lakers, and while Turner is certainly right that the guard’s representatives will seek the best possible offer for their client, that doesn’t mean he’d be obligated to leave Los Angeles if another team is offering a slightly higher annual salary. The 28-year-old would have to determine in that scenario what his priorities are and what makes the most sense for his long-term future.
For what it’s worth, ESPN’s Bobby Marks recently suggested that a four-year, $155MM offer might be enough for the Lakers to re-sign Reaves, though NBA scouts and executives who spoke to ESPN’s Tim Bontemps believe the former undrafted free agent could do a little better, projecting something in the range of $200MM over five years.
“I’d be pretty surprised if the first year starts with a three instead of a four,” one Eastern Conference scout told Bontemps, “but the Lakers need to keep him, and by all accounts he wants to be there, so I think they make it work.”
Reaves was limited to 51 appearances in 2025/26 for health reasons but put up excellent offensive numbers when he was available, averaging a career-high 23.3 points per game on .490/.360/.871 shooting. He also contributed 5.5 assists, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.1 steals per contest.
I hope the lakers don’t give him a max
Ridiculous.
It’s good to see an article that recognizes Reaves is an unrestricted free agent and can go where he wants. Lakers do not have the right to match an offer, Reaves can even take a discount to leave if he wants.
He would be a great player for the Nets or the Bulls. He could also be very useful with Detroit or Atlanta, both of which could easily create the cap space to sign him.
A contract that “starts with a 4” basically is the max. Most he can get next year is 41.25. 200/5 likely starts around 35.
Possibly, but there are scenarios in which it might make sense for the Lakers to do a flat or descending structure, since they might be using up their cap room and then going over the cap to finalize Reaves’ deal.
If the Lakers give the max contract to Reeves, then they will have to get LBJ to take a pay cut of approx. 40 to 50 % from what he played for last year. Luka will not be taking a pay cut for he is top dog on this Laker roster. Also, if all this happens there will be no salary cap room for any additions to this roster, unless they trade Hochimura. Lakers are going to really be stuck if they give Reeves what he wants, for I don’t see LBJ taking a major pay cut
I think the plan would be to keep Reaves on his cap hold, which is only $20 million, renounce all the other free agents, including LeBron, and then use their cap space to sign outside FAs. LeBron would surely take a big pay cut and use some of the cap space, or Lakers could convince him to sign using their room exception. Once Lakers use all their cap space, then they sign Reaves.
Last time Lakers played hard ball and Reeves as a RFA signed a team friendly deal. This time Reeves had all the power. Lakers are going to need to pay to keep him.
Austin Reaves is not a max contract guy especially with how the CBA works now. His contract will age terribly if it is anywhere close to the max.
Its a weak FA market so lakers will need to pay up because somebody will give him a very good contract. Pistons could use him which has cap space to play.
Reaves is one of the best available players. His assist and other numbers are pretty good despite playing alongside Doncic. I don’t know about defensive numbers but I would get him if i was Mavs (Kyrie trade).
I don’t know about his defensive numbers either, but I know what his defense looks like. It ain’t pretty.