Austin Reaves is an unbelievably talented player, especially on the offensive end, but the Los Angeles Lakers could run into some trouble this summer if he declines his player option (which seems likely) and hits free agency. Zach Lowe of The Ringer thinks he could get a max contract.
_“If he has a good year, and I think he will have a good year—I just think he’s a really good player,” Lowe said on_ [_a recent episode of The Zach Lowe Show_](https://youtu.be/sumDFOX6QOQ?si=3UEmNZU3DPYpOld0&t=1500) _with Dan Woike on The Athletic. “He’s a good passer. He averaged six assists a game last year. I’m looking at it. He can shoot. He’s a very good offensive player. And yeah, he’s a defensive slight liability, but he tries hard, and he knows how to play. If he has a good year, A, he can be a fringe All-Star candidate for sure, and B, I mean, the max is not out of the question.”_
That situation would be a mess for the Lakers.
**Why would an Austin Reaves max contract be bad for the Lakers?**
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If Reaves were to have a good enough season to warrant a max contract in free agency, it would be a positive for the Lakers for the 2025-26 campaign, as it would mean he impacted winning at an extremely high level.
He’ll be an essential off-ball shooter and tertiary creator in the Lakers’ offense, giving them a perfect dose of ball-handling, scoring, and shooting next to Luka Doncic and LeBron James.
The world where Reaves has an incredible season is probably the world where the Lakers have a great season and have a chance at making a championship run.
Unfortunately, the residual effect of that would be that the Lakers would have to decide whether or not to pay Reaves in free agency. And if they did have to pay him, it would put them in a serious bind.
The Lakers already have two massive contracts on their books in Doncic and James. If they had to add a third max contract, it would significantly affect their ability to put more talent around them.
They would have to start worrying about the second apron, the penalties associated with it, and more financial issues that could come their way.
Right now, the Lakers are a bit spoiled when it comes to Reaves. He’s on an incredibly affordable contract. But this summer, he’ll want a payday. And rightfully so.
It will be largely based on how he looks this season, but the Lakers will ultimately have to make a very tough decision.