Lakers Nation, you might want to sit down for this one. The ultimate underdog story is officially turning into one of the biggest paydays in NBA history.
According to a massive breaking report from ESPN’s Dave McMenamin (@mcten), Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves is eligible for a staggering five-year max contract extension this summer, projected to be worth up to $241 million.
If you want to know what betting on yourself looks like, this is the ultimate masterclass. Here is a full breakdown of the contract situation, why Reaves deserves every single penny, and what this means for the Lakers’ future.
💸 The $241 Million Gamble That Paid Off
Let’s rewind to last summer. The Lakers’ front office jumped on a call with Reaves and his representation to formally offer him a four-year, $89.2 million contract extension. At the time, it was the maximum amount the Lakers could offer under the collective bargaining agreement.
Reaves politely declined.
Many fans and analysts thought it was a massive risk to leave nearly $90 million of guaranteed money on the table, but Reaves and his camp knew exactly what they were doing. By waiting out the clock and preparing to decline his $14.9 million player option for the 2026-27 season, he unlocked the ability to sign a full 25% max contract.
Now, instead of locking in for $89.2 million, he is staring down the barrel of a five-year deal worth $241 million (with some cap projections pushing it even higher towards that $246 million mark).
📈 Earning Every Single Penny
You don’t get offered a quarter of a billion dollars by accident. Reaves hasn’t just been “good” this season; he has been playing like a legitimate superstar.
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Elite Production: Reaves is currently putting up monster numbers, averaging 25.4 points, 6.0 assists, and 5.0 rebounds per game.
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Stepping Up in the Clutch: With LeBron James dealing with injuries earlier in the year, Reaves carried the offensive load. During certain stretches, he was exploding for over 30 points a night.
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The Perfect Co-Star: The Lakers’ timeline shifted dramatically, and Reaves has proven to be the perfect secondary ball-handler alongside MVP-candidate Luka Dončić.
👑 Will He Stay in the Purple & Gold?
The short answer? Yes, it is highly likely.
Despite the Brooklyn Nets and other cap-rich teams reportedly waiting in the wings to throw a four-year, $178.5 million max offer sheet at him, Reaves’ heart remains in Los Angeles.
Reaves recently addressed the rumors head-on, telling McMenamin: “I try not to think about it. Honestly. I’ve said it a million times. I want to be in L.A. I love it”. He also added, “Even though the other extension was turned down, that doesn’t mean that I’m trying to go get a f—ing gigantic number that don’t make sense. I want to be here, I want to win”.
The Lakers are projected to clear enough cap space this offseason to make this massive deal a reality. Given his undeniable chemistry with Dončić and his proven playoff pedigree, extending Reaves feels like an absolute no-brainer for Rob Pelinka and the front office.
