When analysts speak about the way forward for the Los Angeles Lakers, the identify that tends to dominate the dialog is Luka Doncic. Ever since final season’s blockbuster commerce with the Dallas Mavericks, followers and insiders alike have been ready for the Lakers to transition from LeBron’s staff to Luka’s.
If the franchise needs an actual shot at a title, it must be Luka’s staff as quickly as potential. That being stated, the way forward for the Lakers doesn’t relaxation solely on the shoulders of Doncic.
Austin Reaves has been constructing a popularity throughout the league as an actual menace at each ends of the courtroom and somebody who ought to be taken severely. The undrafted star has spent 4 seasons below LeBron’s studying tree and can probably show to be a robust second to Luka.
Each the Lakers and Reaves are conscious of this reality and understand how massive an element he’ll play within the franchise’s seek for their subsequent championship. That additionally means Reaves is aware of his worth, each to the Lakers and to different groups within the league. When the time involves get his bag, Austin is unlikely to be shy about it, and the Lakers will play ball.
Austin Reaves is a rising star for the Los Angeles Lakers
Reaves is at present on a four-year contract value virtually $54 million, which he signed in 2023. There’s a participant possibility in 2026-27. Reaves is prone to decline that possibility in favor of getting an enormous cash contract from the Lakers or probably exploring the waters of free company.
And people waters will deal with him very nicely if he makes that selection. The now 27-year-old is predicted to search for a contract value $30 million a yr. That is an affordable worth for a robust second selection who can match into virtually any staff construction.
There is not any doubt that Austin will earn his preserve. In just below 35 minutes per sport final season, he averaged 20.2 factors, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.1 steals. That is on high of robust taking pictures from inside and outdoors the arc.
It is also necessary to understand that Reaves remains to be younger and hasn’t hit his prime, but. How he progesses within the subsequent couple of seasons will likely be telling as to how the remainder of his profession will look. For now, it is exhausting to argue the steadiness he has dropped at the staff, to not point out how nicely he has performed alongside LeBron James. Because the Luka period begins in earnest, the identical will probably be true.
The Lakers’ Austin Reaves resolution is coming quickly
When the 2025-26 season wraps up, Reaves will be capable of train his possibility and probably discover greener pastures. If the Lakers are severe about maintaining him, which they need to be, meaning the dialog a couple of new contract has to start out as quickly as potential.
Leaving it till the final minute will open the door for any franchise on the lookout for a younger, versatile guard. The fact is that the LeBron period for the Lakers has been troublesome. The bubble championship and profitable the inaugural NBA Cup have been the only brilliant spots.
In any other case, it has been plenty of early post-season exits, in the event that they make the playoffs in any respect. For the Luka period to play out higher, he wants a robust staff round him. That begins with Austin Reaves and the negotiating benefit of Chicken Rights.
Chicken Rights apply to somebody who has performed for 3 consecutive seasons for a similar staff with out leaving through free company. This permits a staff to re-sign their very own free brokers to longer contracts with greater annual wage will increase and wage cap exemptions.
Except issues are dire, there isn’t any monetary cause to not give Reaves the cash he needs to maintain him.
