Insider ‘Strongly Suspects’ Lakers Will Keep Key Talent Long-Term

Austin Reaves’ Future with the Los Angeles Lakers: A Key Storyline This Season

Austin Reaves’ future with the Los Angeles Lakers is set to be a major talking point throughout the upcoming season. Currently, Reaves has two years remaining on his four-year, $53.8 million contract, which includes a player option for the 2026-27 season. It is widely expected that Reaves will decline this option to explore free agency, aiming for a pay raise with additional guaranteed years. Despite this, the likelihood remains high that he will stay with the Lakers.

ESPN’s Brian Windhorst recently shared his thoughts on Reaves’ future during an episode of “The Hoop Collective” podcast. Windhorst commented, “I do think that it is an interesting situation that they’re in, which is that literally nobody on this team is truly locked in other than Luka. Hachimura is under contract, Vanderbilt is under contract, but those aren’t guys that the Lakers couldn’t move off if they tried. They’re not core players. I suspect Austin Reaves, strongly, is going to get re-signed but they’re in this sort of nether region.”

Since signing with the Lakers as an undrafted rookie in 2021, Reaves has steadily emerged as a key part of the franchise’s offensive system. His versatility and ability to scale his production while fitting alongside the team’s stars will be crucial in the Lakers’ roster-building efforts. Given his importance, it’s difficult to imagine the Lakers letting him walk away in free agency.

### Reaves Could Earn Over $40 Million Per Year

During a recent episode of “The Zach Lowe Show” podcast, The Athletic’s Dan Woike highlighted Reaves’ potential earning power if he continues his strong performance. Woike noted, “If he plays well, there will be offers north of $40 million for him. 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.”

If Reaves signs a deal in the $40 million range, this would represent an approximate $24 million salary increase from his current $13.9 million annual paycheck. However, if the Lakers are unwilling or unable to match such an offer, Reaves could find himself moving to another team.

### Potential Max Contract Eligible

ESPN’s front office insider Bobby Marks also weighed in on the possibility of Reaves securing a max contract. According to Marks, should Reaves decline an extension and hit free agency, teams, including the Lakers, could offer him a deal worth up to 25% of the salary cap. This would translate to a starting salary of around $42.5 million in the first year.

Reaves has proven himself as a core piece of the Lakers’ puzzle. With LeBron James expected to retire in the near future, Reaves’ role within the team is likely to grow even more significant. For these reasons, it seems probable that the Lakers will be willing to pay whatever it takes to keep him.

Beyond his on-court contributions, Reaves is also a fan favorite and one of the most reliable players on the roster, making him a valuable asset worth retaining for years to come.
https://heavy.com/sports/nba/los-angeles-lakers/insider-strongly-suspects-lakers-will-keep-key-talent-long-term/

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