New Austin Reaves Rumors on NBA Free-Agency Landing Spots, Contract, Luka Doncic's Lakers Influence

While the Los Angeles Lakers are reportedly expected to reach a new deal with guard Austin Reaves this coming offseason, they won't be the only team interested in his services.

According to Dan Woike and Sam Amick of The Athletic, the Chicago Bulls and Brooklyn Nets have the salary cap space needed to make a play for Reaves, and both the Utah Jazz and Atlanta Hawks are believed to be interested, although they would have to make some moves in order to free up additional space.

Given how weak the upcoming free-agent class is, rival executives reportedly believe Reaves could get a contract that pays him $40 million per season.

Despite that lofty price, team and league sources indicated to Woike and Amick that Reaves and the Lakers "will eventually land on a contract that makes sense."

Superstar guard Luka Dončić could have something to say about Reaves' future as well since he "made it clear" to the Lakers that he would like for them to keep Reaves in the fold, per Woike and Amick.

Dončić reportedly "believes in Reaves as a long-term piece next to him," and he reportedly also told the Lakers he would not want Reaves to be part of a trade package for Milwaukee Bucks superstar forward Giannis Antetokounmpo.

The Lakers are reportedly expected to look into a potential trade for Giannis during the offseason, especially with LeBron James potentially retiring or signing elsewhere in free agency, but Dončić reportedly "would strongly prefer" a team construction of himself and Reaves alongside "whatever star the Lakers could acquire."

Reaves, 27, just completed his fifth NBA season, and it was the best statistical campaign of his career thus far.

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He averaged a career-high 23.3 points per game on 49.0 percent shooting to go along with 5.5 assists, 4.7 rebounds, 2.3 three-pointers made and 1.1 steals.

Originally an undrafted free agent out of Oklahoma, Reaves has seen his role and production increase with each passing year to the point that he was technically the Lakers' No. 2 scoring option behind Dončić in 2025-26.

James finished third on the team in scoring with 20.9 points per game, which could possibly signal that the Lakers intend to move forward with Dončić and Reaves as their two cornerstones.

Injuries were an issue for Reaves this season, as he was limited to 51 games during the regular season and then missed the Lakers' first four playoff games, but he performed at a high level when healthy.

While Reaves has a player option for next season, it is a near certainty that he will opt out and capitalize on a weak free-agent class by landing a long-term, high-dollar deal.

There should be enough suitors for Reaves to leverage a great deal with the Lakers, but with Woike and Amick reporting that "winning will be a significant factor" in Reaves' decision, the Lakers figure to offer the best situation by far.