A new report on how much Austin Reaves could get in free agency.
The Los Angeles Lakers could look much different going into next season as their big three of Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, and LeBron James may not be together.
James is an unrestricted free agent, and his future is uncertain, though most expect him to return for his 24th season. James has been linked to a number of teams outside of the Lakers, and it is unclear if he will return for his tenth season with the purple and gold.
Luka is 100% set to return as he is under contract for the next two seasons. He will be making $49.5 million next year.
That leaves Reaves, who has a player option worth $14 million that he is expected to decline given its low value. Declining his player option will make him an unrestricted free agent.
The Future of Austin Reaves
According to The Athletic, Reaves is expected to command a big contract in free agency.
“Rival executives predicted Reaves could command $40 million a season due to a combination of his play, his age, and, perhaps most importantly, a free-agent class completely devoid of players as productive as him in their prime," writes Dan Woike and Sam Amick.
The Lakers have the money to make a competitive offer to Reaves, no matter what another team offers him, and his close relationship with Doncic signals that the Lakers' top star wants to keep him on the team.
The Chicago Bulls and Brooklyn Nets have the money to make an offer to Reaves, and both could use a guard of his caliber to improve their team, though it's unclear if Reaves wants to play for a team that isn't on the competitive level of the Lakers.
The Utah Jazz and Atlanta Hawks are also reportedly interested, though they would have to make trades or execute a sign-and-trade with the Lakers to get a deal done.
Austin Reaves Value
Reaves has the most productive season of his career in 2025-26, averaging 23.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 5.5 assists while shooting 49% from the field and 36% from three.
The Lakers looked like a threat in the West in March when their big three were healthy, but injuries to Reaves and Luka derailed their momentum.
The concern surrounding Reaves would be his performances in the last two playoffs, where his numbers dropped. He averaged 20 points, four rebounds, 5.8 assists, and 4.5 turnovers on 40% shooting and 25% from three in the 2026 playoffs, though he was coming off a hamstring injury.
