Lakers Face Tough Choice as Austin Reaves Draws Big-Money Interest

Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves could be one of the most sought-after free agents next offseason, with potential offers exceeding $40 million per year, according to The Athletic’s Dan Woike

 on The Zach Lowe Show podcast.

“If he has a good year, he could be a fringe All-Star candidate for sure,” The Ringer’s Zach Lowe said. “And honestly, the max is not out of the question.”

Woike agreed that Reaves’ next contract could make him one of the highest-paid guards in the league.

“If he plays well, there will be offers north of $40 million for him,” Woike said. “With the cap jump, his max from another team starts around $42 million. It’s him and 

Trae Young — those are the free agents everyone’s watching.”

---

Reaves’ Max Contract Could Reach $42.5 Million

According to ESPN’s front office insider Bobby Marks, Reaves could sign a deal worth up to 25% of the salary cap in 2026. That means a starting salary of about $42.5 million, placing him in the same tier as 

Ja Morant, Darius Garland, Zion Williamson, OG Anunoby, and Domantas Sabonis, who will all earn between $42–45 million during the 2026–27 season.

“Players who are 27 years old and average 20 points a game rarely hit unrestricted free agency,” Woike said. “The market for him will be fascinating. If teams believe he can be an offensive engine — a full-time hub — he’s going to have real suitors at a big number.”

According to Marks, there will be 10 teams projected to have “significant cap space” next summer.

---

Betting on Himself

Reaves, 27, declined the Lakers’ four-year, $89.2 million offer earlier this summer, choosing instead to bet on himself entering a contract year. He can become an unrestricted free agent next offseason if he declines his $15 million player option for next season.

NBC Sports’ Kurt Helin reported that Reaves “wants to be paid in the Tyler Herro range of $30 million a year,” referencing the Miami Heat guard’s four-year, $130 million contract signed in 2022.

Reaves averaged 20.2 points per game last season and delivered a career-high 45-point outing in a February win over Indiana when both LeBron James and Luka Dončić were out. Through two preseason games, he’s averaged 20.5 points in just 22 minutes per game, adding 3.0 rebounds and 2.5 assists.

Performances like these strengthen the belief inside the organization that Reaves could evolve into a dependable third star behind Dončić and James — and possibly earn a massive payday in return.

---

Redick Compares Reaves to Jamal Crawford

Lakers coach JJ Redick has praised Reaves’ creativity and composure, even comparing his offensive craft to three-time Sixth Man of the Year Jamal Crawford

.

“He’s so crafty — his ability to draw fouls is impressive,” Redick said after Reaves dropped 21 points on 7-of-10 shooting in 23 minutes against the Warriors. “I played with 

Jamal Crawford, who was so good at that. Austin’s picking up little tricks here and there to get to the free-throw line. He’s always been good at that, but you can see that continue to develop.”

Redick said Reaves’ dominance in training camp carried over to preseason games. “During scrimmages, the purple team literally couldn’t contain him,” Redick said. “He just kind of got wherever he wanted.”

---

Lakers’ Looming Dilemma

Reaves’ rise has created both opportunity and tension within the Lakers’ long-term plans. If he performs at an All-Star level this season, Los Angeles will soon face a defining choice — whether to pay him star-level money as Dončić’s co-star in the post-LeBron era, or flip him for a bona fide superstar while his value is at its peak.

The franchise’s financial flexibility will tighten over the next two seasons, especially with Dončić’s eventual max extension and the uncertainty around James’ future. Committing over $40 million annually to Reaves would lock the 

Lakers‘ payroll to over $100 million between him and Dončić.

Reaves’ growth and creativity have made him indispensable — but they’ve also positioned him as the Lakers’ most valuable trade chip. 

Anthony Irwin of ClutchPoints speculated that if a superstar like Giannis Antetokounmpo became available, Reaves’ name would headline any Lakers trade offer.

For now, Reaves is focused on proving he can be the third pillar of a championship contender alongside Dončić and James. But as one Western Conference scout told 

Heavy Sports, “The Lakers can’t have it both ways — if Reaves keeps ascending, he’s either going to get paid like a star or traded for one.”