Why New Austin Reaves Contract Is Key to Lakers' Long-Term Title Hopes amid NBA Rumors

It may not be as easy to re-sign Austin Reaves as the Los Angles Lakers may have thought.

Brian Windhorst reported on ESPN's Get Up (3:34) that he had, "talked to both sides in this situation, the Reeves side and the Lakers about this and my feeling is a deal will get done, but I think there will probably be a little bit of drama to get there."

Reaves is in the third year of a four-year, $53.8 million contract with a player option that he is expected to decline for the 2026-27 season, thus becoming a free agent.

It is not surprising that the Lakers will face competition in their quest to re-sign Reaves. Undrafted in 2021, Reaves is significantly underpaid compared to his contributions to the team.

The 27-year-old guard has out-played his contract, consistently improving his numbers each year, culminating in a career-season in 2026, where he averaged highs in points (23.3), rebounds (4.7), steals (1.1), and blocks (0.4). He shot a career-high 49 percent from the field while remaining consistent from beyond the arc (36 percent) and the free-throw line (87.1).

If his consistently improved play over the last five seasons is not enough, the manner in which he seamlessly fits into, and thrives in, head coach's JJ Redick's system should be enough to convince Lakers management to take the necessary steps to make sure Reaves does not leave the organization.

The team will already struggle to mold a roster thanks to one of the worst salary cap situations in the league. Re-signing Reaves to a deal that he both earned and deserves would at least bring stability and consistency to the organization, something it will need with the uncertainty that is LeBron James' status hanging over it like a dark and pregnant cloud.

The Lakers have been chasing another NBA title since their 2020 win and the surest way to stay on track to one is by keeping Reaves paired with Doncic and allowing them to be the one-two punch that leads the organization into the future and hopefully, for the team and its fans, an 18th championship.