Getty
Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15) and Los Angeles Lakers forward Lebron James (23) look at the scoreboard with the team down by double digits against the San Antonio Spurs at Crypto.com Arena on December 10, 2025 in Los Angeles, California.
The Los Angeles Lakers have the impending free agency decisions of LeBron James and Austin Reaves that will need to be addressed this summer.
On one hand, James looks to be on his way out, potentially going back to the Cleveland Cavaliers. On the other, all indications point to Reaves signing a new contract extension with the Lakers this offseason.
According to Dave McMenamin of ESPN, Reaves can sign a five-year, $241 million deal, and he and the Lakers are predicted to come to terms either on that exact amount or something close to it.
Los Angeles has already signed franchise star Luka Doncic to a contract extension, and the expectation is that they’ll keep Reaves long-term as his backcourt partner, despite some of the defensive concerns the duo has shown together this season.
Lakers Predicted To Make Major Austin Reaves Free Agency Decision
GettyLos Angeles, CA – March 01: Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15) dribbles down the court during the second half of NBA game against the Sacramento Kings at Crypto.com Arena on Sunday, March 1, 2026 in Los Angeles, CA. (Photos by Ronaldo Bolaños/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
All signs point to Reaves already declining his $14.9 million player option for next season on his current contract, and he is expected to sign a new, max contract extension with the Lakers.
While another NBA team, regardless of who it is, could sign Reaves in free agency to a deal capped at four years, $179 million, Los Angeles can offer him the most money.
“Because NBA rules restrict the Lakers from extending Reaves up to 140% of the average player (four-years, $87.4 million with a starting salary of $19.5 million next season), it is highly unlikely he will sign a new contract prior to June 30,” Bobby Marks wrote for ESPN back in November. ” The more likely scenario is for Reaves to decline his player option and become an unrestricted free agent.”
“If he does, Reaves will be eligible to sign for up to five years, $241 million with the Lakers. The Lakers could still have nearly $50 million in cap space even if Reaves signs a new contract.”
Reaves has already reportedly turned down an $89 million contract extension, and though he wants to stay in Los Angeles, he also wants to get paid his market value.
While Reaves has cooled off since his 30-point per game average to start the season, in 40 games this year, he is averaging 23.9 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 5.3 assists on an even 50% shooting.
According to Bleacher Report, Reaves should be a lock to re-sign a new deal with the Lakers this summer.
“Odds are, Reaves will be back with the Lakers—even if the thought of paying max-level cash to an offense-first guard who’ll always be a second option next to Dončić is a little concerning,” Grant Hughes wrote. “Reaves played like a superstar earlier this year while his top-line teammates were injured. Justifiably confident he can fill that same upsized role on a full-time basis elsewhere, Reaves should drive as hard a bargain as possible.”
The Luka Doncic, LeBron James, And Austin Reaves Problem For Lakers
GettyLuka Dončić and Austin Reaves combined for 60 points in the Lakers’ win over the Knicks, but the real debate afterward centered on LeBron James’ role. Jason Timpf explains why the Lakers still need LeBron, but may need to adjust how they use him.
While Reaves should be a shoo-in to be on the Lakers next season, the same can’t be said for James, who is also set for free agency, but unlike his current teammate, doesn’t have any major links connecting him to re-signing with Los Angeles next season.
However, the Lakers might not be too concerned about losing James in free agency this summer, because, as the numbers show, the team is better with him off the court.
According to the latest data, the duo of Doncic and Reaves on the court performs much better than with James, or even with the 41-year-old on the court with either of the two.
When it’s just the two young backcourt stars leading the way for Los Angeles, the team has a combined +16.9 net rating, along with a 125.7 offensive rating and 108.8 defensive rating.
That’s opposed to a +1.5 net rating, 115.3 offensive rating, and 113.9 defensive rating for the trio.
When it’s just James and Reaves, Los Angeles has gone 3-3 while having a -4.7 net rating and a 120.7 defensive rating. With Doncic and James, it’s a similar -3.5 net rating while the Lakers have been 14-8 in those games.
While the Lakers have expressed public interest in James coming back next season, it certainly wouldn’t be a shock if they let him walk.
Additionally, there are concerns about the duo of just Doncic and Reaves on defense, despite what the team’s defensive rating may show. However, Los Angeles is expected to target both wing and big man defenders this offseason, with the projected salary cap space they’ll have to use in free agency.
Plus, the offensive efficiency and scoring abilities of Doncic and Reaves are impossible to ignore, even if they aren’t a perfect fit together.
The Lakers lucked out by getting Reaves as an undrafted free agent in 2021, and they’re expected to reward him for this summer with a new max contract extension to keep him in town for at least the next few years.
Eli Gregorski is a sports journalist covering the NBA for Heavy Sports. He has years of sports writing experience covering the NBA, NFL, college football and basketball, international soccer, and Formula One. He graduated from the University of Colorado Boulder, where he was the assistant sports editor for the award-winning CU Independent student publication. More about Eli Gregorski
More Heavy on Lakers
Loading more stories