The Los Angeles Lakers’ sharpshooting guard, Austin Reaves, has reportedly declined a maximum contract extension offer from the franchise, a deal that would have paid him $89.2 million over four years. This decision, first reported by CBS Sports and corroborated by Sports Illustrated, signals Reaves’ strategic long-term financial play rather than a desire to depart from Los Angeles.
The 27-year-old guard is currently under a four-year, $54 million contract he signed in 2023. His current deal includes one more guaranteed year, followed by a player option for the 2026-27 season. By declining the Lakers’ max extension now, Reaves positions himself to potentially decline that player option in the future, entering unrestricted free agency where he could command an even more lucrative contract.
Despite the financial maneuver, Reaves has consistently expressed his strong desire to remain with the Lakers. At his basketball camp earlier this month, he stated, “I want to be in L.A. I want to play my whole career in L.A. I love it there. I love the fans. Love the weather, love the golf. And obviously the Lakers is the best organization in basketball.” This sentiment underscores that his decision is purely a business calculation, not a reflection of his commitment to the purple and gold.
Reaves is coming off a career-best 2024-25 NBA season, showcasing significant growth since entering the league as an undrafted player out of Oklahoma in 2021. He averaged an impressive 20.2 points, 5.8 assists, and 4.5 rebounds per game, shooting 46% from the field and 38% from beyond the arc. His scoring and assist averages have seen consistent improvement across all four of his NBA seasons. This stellar performance placed him among an elite group, making him one of only ten players in Lakers history to average at least 20 points and five assists in a single season, according to CBS Sports.
His impact extends beyond regular season statistics. Reaves was a key contributor to the Lakers’ victory in the inaugural NBA In-Season Tournament in 2023, where he scored 28 points off the bench in the championship game. He has also demonstrated his clutch ability and versatility, recording three career triple-doubles, including a 26-point, 10-rebound, 10-assist performance on Christmas Day 2024 against the Golden State Warriors. On February 8, 2025, he set a career-high with 45 points against the Indiana Pacers, joining Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, and Anthony Davis as the only Lakers in the last two decades to achieve such a scoring feat. Furthermore, on April 3, 2025, Reaves surpassed Kobe Bryant for the second-most three-pointers made in a single season in Lakers history, as reported by Wikipedia.
Reaves’ rising profile also led to his selection for the 2023 U.S. national team for the FIBA World Cup, making him only the third undrafted NBA player to represent Team USA in the tournament. His market value has clearly soared since his initial $54 million extension, and his decision to defer a max deal now indicates a strong belief in his continued development and earning potential in the coming years. The Lakers, having offered the maximum allowable extension, have shown their commitment, setting the stage for future negotiations that could see Reaves secure an even more substantial payday.
