Austin Reaves is going to get a big raise in the offseason as he likely declines his player option worth $14 million to become an unrestricted free agent. 

The Los Angeles Lakers are the front runner to retain Reaves, making it clear that they are prioritzing the 28-year-old guard who has blossomed into one of the better offensive playmakers in the league. 

Reaves averaged 23.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 5.5 assists on 49% from the field and 36% from three this past season. He and Luka Doncic have formed a bond on and off the court that has paid dividends for the Lakers, who looked like a contender in the West before injuries to Reaves and Doncic in April hurt their playoff chances. 

According to ESPN's Bobby Marks, most expect Reaves to remain in Los Angeles, but it will be costly. 

"The majority opinion is that Reaves will remain in Los Angeles -- and on a massive raise. … Several scouts and executives predict something in the range of five years, $200 million, but below his five-year max of $239 million," according to Marks. 

The Lakers don't have a lot of money tied up in players for this upcoming season, keeping their books clean in preparation for Reaves' raise and LeBron James making a decision on his future. 

Doncic is set to make $49.5 million, but below him is Jarred Vanderbilt at $12.4 million and Deandre Ayton, who has a player option worth $8.1 million. 

Probably not a lot. Good teams have highly paid players. 

It will hamper their cap space and ability to sign high priced free agents, especially if LeBron James ends up returning, but the free agent class this offseason is rather weak and the Lakers don't need high priced players, they need the right players to put around Reaves and Doncic. 

The bigger thing hurting the Lakers right now is their inability to find draft picks as rotation pieces. 

Adou Thiero was injured for the majority of his rookie season, but did show a little bit of upside and promise in limited playoff minutes. Dalton Knecht was traded, and then not traded, and is pretty much out of the rotation. Bronny James showed flashes but it remains to be seen how consistent he can be. 

Jalen Hood-Schifino is in the G-League, Maxwell Lewis is overseas, and Max Christie is on the Mavericks. 

Those are all the Lakers' draft picks since 2020. 

Not being able to find a consistent rotation player and relying on trades of veteran free agents hurt the team more than handing out a big contract to players who have proven they can put up numbers and help win games.