Lakers star Austin Reaves deserves big payday… but which team will give it to him?
Austin Reaves, a rising star for the Lakers, is poised for a significant payday as he approaches free agency. After a strong season where he averaged 23.3 points per game, Reaves is expected to opt out of his current contract. The Lakers are eager to retain him, but he could also attract lucrative offers from other teams.
- ▪Reaves is eligible for a five-year, $241 million max contract extension with the Lakers or a four-year, $178.5 million deal with another team.
- ▪He averaged a career-high 23.3 points per game this season and became the Lakers' second option on offense.
- ▪Despite a rocky start in the playoffs, Reaves rebounded with impressive performances, including a playoff career-high of 31 points in Game 2 against the Thunder.
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Melissa Rohlin NBA Lakers star Austin Reaves deserves big payday… but which team will give it to him? By Melissa Rohlin Published May 19, 2026, 7:30 a.m. ET See more of our coverage in your search results. Add The New York Post on Google With 8.3 seconds left and the Lakers down 113-110 in Game 4 of their second-round playoff series against the Thunder, Austin Reaves sprinted to the top of the 3-point line, caught an inbounds pass and fired a 27-foot jumper. The ball circled the rim before bouncing out, ending the Lakers’ season. 3 The Lakers’ Austin Reaves (15) didn’t start well during the Thunder series, but he redeemed himself. NBAE via Getty Images That missed shot launched the team into a world of uncertainty.
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