Austin Reaves is barreling toward unrestricted free agency next summer. After a truly dominant career night from Reaves on Sunday, it's not all that difficult to predict what his next contract will be: a maximum one.
The Los Angeles Lakers got an absolute steal when they convinced Austin Reaves to turn down two-way offers and go undrafted in 2021. They got another steal in 2023, negotiating a bargain contract with Reaves that paid him an average of $13 million over the past three seasons, including this one.
That changes next summer, when Reaves will turn down the final season of his deal and become a free agent. Because his contract was starting from such a low spot, he and the Lakers were unable to come to terms on a fair contract extension prior to this season. That made Reaves' next contract both an open question and a looming pressure: can the Lakers afford to pay him next summer?
How could they afford not to? With LeBron James and Luka Doncic both sidelined, two All-NBA level players, Reaves didn't bat an eye. He coolly ran the offense and attacked a helpless Sacramento Kings defense again and again on Sunday, carving them up to the tune of 51 points, a career-high and one of the most impressive performances for any player across the NBA thus far this season.
Reaves was dynamic with the basketball, scoring from all three levels and giving the Kings no options other than to foul him. He shot 12-for-22 from the field (6-for-10 from deep) and 21-for-22 from the free-throw line. His handle is significantly improved and his shot looks as good as ever.
Add to that the way that Reaves has improved as a passer and playmaker; he had nine assists on Sunday night, including multiple feeds to Deandre Ayton. The first-year Lakers center had his best game for the team, scoring 22 points with 15 rebounds. Overall, Reaves was elevating the entire team; in a seven-point win, he was +22 in his 39 minutes. In the other nine, the Lakers were outscored by 15 points.
It was the performance of a star, a top-2 option on a good team or the No. 1 option on a mediocre team. And we know exactly what that level of player is paid: the max.
Austin Reaves is getting paid the max
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The Lakers have plans to use cap space next offseason to upgrade their team. They may still be the case, but they have to be planning to pay Austin Reaves the maximum that they can. If they do not, [another team certainly will](https://wizofawes.com/wizards-next-all-star-just-scored-50-for-west-rival-austin-reaves).
One small saving grace for the Lakers is that Reaves will have only five years of experience, so he will not qualify for the same maximum amount that Luka Doncic just signed for. Even so, he will be in line to make 25 percent of the salary cap. That's nigh unthinkable for an undrafted player, but Reaves continues to blossom into a superstar.
If Reaves signs with the Lakers, his salary will start around $41.3 million given current projections, and with maximum raises will pay him $54.6 million in 2030-31, a five-year total of $240 million. Even with the salary cap continuing to go up that is a lot of money, and certainly more than Rob Pelinka and company were hoping to pay.
If another team comes in to try and poach Reaves with the allure of being the No. 1 option, or if the Lakers fumble the ball and try to squeeze him for a smaller contract offer, the number will be lower. He still starts at the same $41.3 million number, 25 percent of the cap, but the raises will be smaller (five percent vs eight percent) and can only be for four years. He would make $177.9 million over four seasons if he lands in Washington or Utah or Chicago or any other team with cap space.
Reaves will hit free agency next summer with a modest cap hold around $21 million, which gives the Lakers an extra $20 million to spend before re-signing Reaves. It may be their one shot to fully upgrade the roster before Reaves has his pay jump and others such as Deandre Ayton land new deals.
51 points and a whole lot of money. Want to know what Austin Reaves' next contract will be? We can't tell you where, but we can tell you the what: $41.3 million, 25 percent of the cap. He is now on track to make the max. Book it.