The Los Angeles Lakers may now face a significant offseason challenge following their second-round playoff exit, with multiple teams reportedly emerging as potential threats to lure Austin Reaves away in free agency.
According to a collaborative report from The Athletic’s Dan Woike and Sam Amick, rival executives around the league believe Reaves could command a massive contract this summer after the best season of his career.
“All of this, of course, is contingent on the Lakers and Reaves coming together on a deal. While team and league sources believe that the Lakers and Reaves will eventually land on a contract that makes sense, the door for Reaves to walk is open should he get a big offer elsewhere.”
The report added that executives around the NBA believe Reaves’ market value could approach $40 million annually because of his production, age and a relatively weak free-agent class.
“At present, the Chicago Bulls and Brooklyn Nets, who both have needs at the guard position, are the only teams with the sort of salary-cap space available to meet that sort of financial mark. Other teams that are known to have some interest in Reaves — like Utah and Atlanta, per league sources — would need to make roster moves to find the necessary space. League sources say winning will be a significant factor in Reaves’ thinking.”
Austin Reaves’ breakout season draws serious interest from Bulls, Nets, Jazz, Hawks
Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15) moves the ball against Oklahoma City Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein (55) during the first half in game four of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena.
Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
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Reaves is coming off a breakout fifth NBA season in which he averaged career highs of 23.3 points, 5.5 assists, 4.7 rebounds and 1.1 steals while shooting 49 percent from the field, 36 percent from three-point range and 87.1 percent from the free-throw line across 51 games.
His importance to the Lakers became even more evident during the playoffs, particularly with Luka Doncic sidelined throughout the postseason.
Reaves himself missed nearly a month after suffering a Grade 2 oblique strain in April before returning during the Lakers’ first-round series against the Houston Rockets. Across six playoff games following his return, he averaged 20 points, 5.8 assists, four rebounds and 1.2 blocks while playing 36.8 minutes per game.
In the Lakers’ season-ending Game 4 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, Reaves led the team with 27 points, seven rebounds, six assists and two blocks despite committing eight turnovers. He shot 8-for-16 from the field, 3-for-7 from three-point range and 8-for-9 from the free-throw line across 43 minutes.
While league sources still expect the Lakers and Reaves to eventually find common ground on a new contract, interest from teams such as Chicago, Brooklyn, Utah and Atlanta could complicate negotiations.
With Reaves entering the prime of his career and establishing himself as one of the league’s more productive guards, retaining him is expected to become one of the Lakers’ top priorities this offseason.
The Los Angeles Lakers may now face a significant offseason challenge following their second-round playoff exit, with multiple teams reportedly emerging as potential threats to lure Austin Reaves away in free agency. According to a collaborative report from The Athletic’s Dan Woike and Sam Amick, rival executives around the league believe Reaves could command a massive contract this summer after the best season of his career.