In a stunning development that has sent shockwaves through the NBA, Los Angeles Lakers star guard Austin Reaves is reportedly in line for a massive $240 million contract over five years. The 26-year-old, who went undrafted in the 2021 NBA Draft out of the University of Oklahoma, has transformed himself into one of the league’s premier talents, and this potential deal underscores his meteoric rise.
Reaves, now entering his fifth season with the Lakers, has consistently elevated his game year after year. Last season marked a career-best performance, and expectations are sky-high that he’ll take another leap in 2025-26. His journey from an undrafted rookie to a cornerstone of the Lakers’ roster is nothing short of remarkable, and the Lakers’ front office is ready to reward him handsomely for it.
According to a report by Keith Smith of Spotrac, Reaves is likely to decline his $14.9 million player option for the 2026-27 season and enter unrestricted free agency next summer. The Lakers, recognizing his value, are projected to offer him a max contract with the following structure:
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2026-27: $41,500,000
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2027-28: $44,820,000
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2028-29: $48,140,000
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2029-30: $51,460,000
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2030-31: $54,780,000 (player option)
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Total: 5 years, $240,700,000
This potential deal, averaging $48 million annually, would have been unthinkable just a few years ago. Yet, it reflects Reaves’ growth into a reliable second option behind LeBron James and a key piece of the Lakers’ championship aspirations. His current four-year, $54 million contract, signed after the 2022-23 season, was already considered a bargain at the time. Now, it’s viewed as an absolute steal given his development into a top-tier guard.
Reaves has expressed a strong desire to remain with the Lakers for his entire career. In a late September interview with ESPN LA, he acknowledged the business side of the NBA but made his intentions clear: “It’s super hard. If you would have told me even three years ago that I was going to have the opportunity to make that money, then I would have jumped on it in a heartbeat. But it’s a business at the end of the day. That doesn’t mean that I don’t want to be in LA. I want to be in LA for my whole career and hopefully we can make that happen.”
With LeBron James sidelined to start the 2025-26 season, Reaves is poised to take on an even larger role as the Lakers’ second scoring option. His ability to step up in critical moments, combined with his versatility and basketball IQ, has solidified his status as a player teams must game-plan for. As he approaches free agency, other teams are expected to come calling with lucrative offers, but all signs point to Reaves staying in the purple and gold.
The reported $240 million deal is a testament to Reaves’ hard work and undeniable talent. From an undrafted prospect to a potential max-contract star, his story is one of perseverance and excellence. Lakers fans are buzzing with excitement, and the NBA world is taking notice—this is a deal nobody saw coming, but one that Reaves has earned every step of the way.