Lakers, Austin Reaves agree to new contract

On Tuesday, the Los Angeles Lakers and the New York Knicks swapped the rights to the No. 24 and No. 25 picks in the NBA draft, giving the Lakers Cameron Carr, a guard out of Baylor University, whom New York took at No. 24. On Wednesday, the first free agency domino fell for the Los Angeles Lakers.

Austin Reaves, the rising star guard who has been expected to opt out of his contract at the end of this month in order to become a free agent, agreed to a new contract to remain with the Purple and Gold, per ESPN. The contract will reportedly pay him $185 million over the next four seasons and will have a player option for the 2029-30 campaign.

“Los Angeles Lakers star Austin Reaves intends to sign a four-year, $185 million maximum contract to return to the franchise, with a player option for the final season in 2029-30, sources tell ESPN’s Shams Charania.”

“Los Angeles Lakers star Austin Reaves intends to sign a four-year, $185 million maximum contract to return to the franchise, with a player option for the final season in 2029-30, sources tell ESPN’s Shams Charania.”

Even better, although this contract is a bit hefty, it will not impact the Lakers’ ability to upgrade their roster in free agency.

“The Reaves agreement has no impact on the Lakers cap flexibility this summer as the team’s projected salary space takes into account Reaves $20.9M cap hold. He will sign last after the Lakers exhaust room.”

“The Reaves agreement has no impact on the Lakers cap flexibility this summer as the team’s projected salary space takes into account Reaves $20.9M cap hold. He will sign last after the Lakers exhaust room.”

Reaves was limited to 51 games this regular season due to multiple injuries, but he elevated his scoring for the fourth consecutive year. He averaged 23.3 points on 49% field-goal shooting and 36% from 3-point range, as well as 5.5 assists a game. The 28-year-old has made it clear in recent months that his preference has been to stay with the Lakers, despite speculation that another team could swoop in and give him a lucrative offer.

This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Lakers, Austin Reaves agree to new contract