Lakers Austin Reaves free agency decision injury update
Getty
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 14: Austin Reaves #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks onduring the first half of a game against the Denver Nuggets at Crypto.com Arena on March 14, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Austin Reaves is officially listed as questionable for the Los Angeles Lakers‘ upcoming game against the Miami Heat, but the breakout star faces a much bigger question this summer, rather than his current injury status for Thursday.
According to multiple reports, the Lakers are expected to offer Reaves a max contract extension worth $241 million over five years. Reaves is likely to turn down his option for next season and enter free agency this summer.
However, while all signs point to Los Angeles keeping the star guard, questions remain on whether pairing him with Luka Doncic for the long-term future is the right move.
Lakers Face Austin Reaves Free Agency Decision
Austin Reaves, Lakers
GettyLos Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15) pulls up a jumper in front Denver Nuggets guard Tim Hardaway Jr. (10) at Crypto.com Arena on March 14, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.
On the season, Reaves is averaging 23.6 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 5.6 assists on 49.5% shooting, all of which are a bit down from his hot start to the season, but still All-Star level in the Western Conference.
Near the start of the year, Dave McMenamin reported that the Lakers are poised to offer Reaves a five-year, $241 million contract extension, as while he was picked up as an undrafted free agent in 2021, he’s turned into the team’s number two option behind Doncic, now passing LeBron James as Los Angeles’ second priority on offense.
Dave McMenamin
New story: Austin Reaves’ hot start hasn’t just set the Lakers’ season up for success. It’s set him up for a major payday this summer. A look inside Reaves impact in L.A. “I want to be here. I want to win.”
“Because NBA rules restrict the Lakers from extending Reaves up to 140% of the average player (four-years, $87.4 million with a starting salary of $19.5 million next season), it is highly unlikely he will sign a new contract prior to June 30,” Bobby Marks wrote for ESPN back in November. “The more likely scenario is for Reaves to decline his player option and become an unrestricted free agent.”
While Reaves has maintained that he wants to be with the Lakers for his entire career, giving him a max contract extension is a lot easier said than done, especially as it relates to his injuries this season and his overall fit next to Doncic.
“It’s highly likely Reaves will be back, but it’s worth briefly wondering whether the Lakers want to pay max-level cash to an offense-first guard who’ll never be the first option next to Luka Dončić,” Grant Hughes wrote for Bleacher Report. “Reaves shone in that role earlier this year while his star teammates were out with injury. He’d be justified in believing he deserves to play in a lead role on a full-time basis somewhere else.”
But as the Lakers can offer Reaves more money than any other team, there is an expectation that he’ll resign in free agency this summer, as Los Angeles won’t want to lose a player of his caliber for nothing over the offseason.
Austin Reaves Injury Update
Most recently, Reaves was added to the Lakers’ injury report ahead of their game against the Heat. He is officially listed as questionable alongside Doncic and James, as he’s dealing with a right forearm contusion that now puts his status for Thursday night in question.
Dave McMenamin
LeBron, Luka and Reaves all questionable tonight in Miami. Beyond the injuries, the team did not get to their hotel until the early hours of the morning – after 4 a.m. – once landing from Houston
Reaves is coming off a 14-point, three-rebound, eight-assist performance against the Houston Rockets. In the two games against Houston, Reaves combined for just 29 points, which was lower than each of his three previous games.
However, while James’ elbow injury appears more serious, Reaves and Doncic are likely listed as questionable on the second night of a back-to-back for rest-related issues.
Still, Reaves sat for a major stretch earlier this season with a concerning calf injury, but he’s been consistently available for the Lakers through the first five seasons of his NBA career.
Los Angeles faces a major Reaves free agency decision this summer, and while questions remain on his fit with Doncic, specifically on defense, the assumption is that he’ll be the next player to ink a max contract extension this offseason.