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Los Angeles Lakers
Aug 15, 2025 5:39 PM EDT
Austin Reaves is entering his fifth season as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers franchise.
Since entering the NBA as an undrafted free agent for the Lakers in 2021, Reaves’ role with the team has steadily built. This past season, the 27-year-old guard averaged a career-high 20.2 points and 5.8 assists per game — shooting 46.0% from the field and 37.7% from behind the 3-point arc.
Reaves is now heading into the final guaranteed season of the four-year, $53.8 million contract he signed with the Lakers in 2023. After the 2025-26 season, he has a $14.9 million player option — an offer he’s expected to decline.
With his production improving year-over-year, many feel Reaves deserves a bigger payday from the Los Angeles franchise.
Lakers reporter Jovan Buha predicts the Lakers will re-sign Reaves on a deal worth somewhere in the $30-35 million per year range.
“I think he’s more like a $30 to $35 million per year player,” Buha said. “If you look at some of the guys in that range, guys like Immanuel Quickley and Tyler Herro, I think Austin is easily in that class, and better than a lot of the guys in the $30 to $32 million range.”
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“People around the league are penciling him in to make $30-plus million [next] summer, whether it’s with the Lakers or someone else. I expect it to be with the Lakers,” Buha continued. “I expect him to re-sign on a multi-year deal, and I think that’s the shrewd move from LA’s part. He wants to be a Laker. He wants to be a Laker for life.”
Reaves and the Lakers will begin their 2025-26 regular-season campaign with a matchup against the Golden State Warriors on Oct. 21.
About the Author
Matt Audilet