Austin Reaves’ Massive $241 Million Lakers Dream Contract Creates Crucial Offseason Dilemma
austin-reaves-player-option-rob-pelinka-lakers/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Austin Reaves is expected to decline his $14.8 million player option this summer and sign a new contract extension with the Los Angeles Lakers. Reaves finished the 2025-26 season averaging 23.3 points, 4.7 rebounds and 5.5 assists on 49.0% shooting. Because of the effort he produced this season, many people thought he was an All-Star.
Because he’s now viewed as an All-Star, Reaves believes that he should be paid like one. According to reports, the undrafted guard is projected to sign a five-year, $241 million contract extension. That offer can only be given by the Lakers. That possible contract extension reduces to a four-year, $178 million agreement if he decides to join a different team, such as the Brooklyn Nets or the Chicago Bulls.
According to Broderick Turner of the LA Times, Austin Reaves still wants to stay with the Lakers and sign the maximum contract extension.
“He bet on himself. He stands to make a five-year, $241 million deal for the Lakers if they offer him that deal. Or if he goes to a team like Chicago, a team like Brooklyn, he can get four years, $178 million. Those teams will kind of lurk around. But 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? How? I’m not so sure about that. Maybe he does, but maybe his reps don’t want him.”
“He bet on himself. He stands to make a five-year, $241 million deal for the Lakers if they offer him that deal. Or if he goes to a team like Chicago, a team like Brooklyn, he can get four years, $178 million. Those teams will kind of lurk around. But 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? How? I’m not so sure about that. Maybe he does, but maybe his reps don’t want him.”
According to reports, Austin Reaves is the Lakers’ top priority in free agency. Despite LeBron James being an unrestricted free agent, the former Wichita State guard fits the team’s timeline with Luka Doncic and wants to make sure they keep him.
Former Lakers star Robert Horry understands why Austin Reaves wants to sign the massive contract extension with the Lakers. According to the seven-time champion, Reaves isn’t a player like LeBron
James or Luka Doncic, who will attract several endorsement deals.
“I think with Reaves, he has to do what is best for him,” Horry said. “Sometimes fans forget that. We want him to stay, but at the end of the day, it’s his life. He has to do what is best for him. Let’s say some team is going to offer you $180 million, and the Lakers are going to offer you $120 million. That is $60 million.
“I know Austin very well, he ain’t the sexiest guy so he ain’t gonna get those off-court endorsements. So he’s got to make up that $60 million… I love AR. At the end of the day, you have to do what’s best for you.”
“I think with Reaves, he has to do what is best for him,” Horry said. “Sometimes fans forget that. We want him to stay, but at the end of the day, it’s his life. He has to do what is best for him. Let’s say some team is going to offer you $180 million, and the Lakers are going to offer you $120 million. That is $60 million.
“I know Austin very well, he ain’t the sexiest guy so he ain’t gonna get those off-court endorsements. So he’s got to make up that $60 million… I love AR. At the end of the day, you have to do what’s best for you.”
The massive contract offers don’t come often, and Horry believes Reaves should be firm in wanting to sign a contract that matches his worth.