Has Austin Reaves Already Played His Final Game with LA Lakers?

April 8, 2026 at 1:25 pm

FROM ABOVE ARTICLE:

Disappointing news hit the Los Angeles Lakers when Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves went down at the same time in a blowout loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Dončić (hamstring) is now overseas trying to fast-track his recovery in a long-shot push to be ready for the playoffs, while Reaves (oblique) is expected to miss another 3-5 weeks, casting serious doubt on a deep Lakers postseason run.

With Dončić already extended in August and Reaves headed toward free agency on July 1, the question now is whether he stays in L.A. or explores a bigger opportunity elsewhere.

Here are five things we’re hearing about his upcoming offseason.

Reaves Can Extend Today, and Here’s Why He Won’t

Reaves has been open about his preference to spend his career with the Lakers in Los Angeles. So, why hasn’t he already extended?

The 27-year-old guard has remained extension eligible since last July. He’s limited to an extension at 140 percent of his expiring figure ($13.9 million) or $19.5 million ($87.4 million over four). While that’s a lucrative amount, he is gambling that he’ll get more this summer.

Given his stats (23.3 points and 5.5 assists) and production on the third-best team in the Western Conference heading into the Thunder debacle (the Lakers may dip to the fifth seed without him and Dončić), Reaves should be able to get more in free agency than $87.4 million.

Lakers Can Reward Reaves and Add Talent

Reaves has built a clear chemistry with Dončić. Once LeBron James recognized, accepted and embraced that he needed to be third in the Lakers’ offensive pecking order, the group began to flourish.

Just as Dončić needed Kyrie Irving in Dallas with the Mavericks, Reaves is a dynamic creator who can play off the ball as needed or provide ball-handling relief for teams that choose to swarm Dončić with defenders.

The larger question this offseason for the Lakers is James’ status as an unrestricted free agent.

Assuming the franchise decides not to retain him at his current salary of $52.6 million and allocates those resources instead to younger players who can complement Dončić and Reaves long term, then Los Angeles has enough spending power to retain Reaves and spend elsewhere.

Unsigned, Reaves has a free-agent cap hold of $26.5 million (could be $20.9 million, if the NBA’s estimated average player salary dips lower than expected). Using the larger figure and depending on player options for Deandre Ayton and Marcus Smart, the Lakers could have nearly $53 million in available cap space.

That could grow if the team makes additional moves via trade (Dalton Knecht, Jarred Vanderbilt, its 2026 first-round pick, etc.).

That cap room could be used to flesh out the roster via free agency, or in trade to acquire players like Giannis Antetokounmpo or Trey Murphy III—provided the Lakers have enough to entice the Milwaukee Bucks or New Orleans Pelicans to deal.

Once the Lakers’ cap room is spent, the team would re-sign Reaves to a number that exceeds his cap hold.

The Market Looks Favorable to Lakers

The Lakers’ negotiating leverage with Reaves will depend on the market, which projects to have few potential suitors. His leverage depends on finding just one team willing to drive up his price.

Based on the NBA’s $165 million cap projection for 2026-27, the Chicago Bulls (about $63 million) and Brooklyn Nets ($44.8 million) should have the most available spending power to chase free agents this summer. Do they choose to go after Reaves? That’s unclear at this early stage.

The Bulls recently let go of their top basketball executive, Artūras Karnišovas. Until a replacement is in place, it’s difficult to gauge direction, though the recent approach was to build around a core of Josh Giddey and Matas Buzelis. Reaves could fit, though that may also depend on the results of the draft lottery on May 10.

Meanwhile, the Nets are among the worst teams in the league this season. A full rebuild, however, will be put on hold in 2026-27, given the Houston Rockets have first-round swap rights with Brooklyn (part of the James Harden trade). Reaves could fit alongside players such as Michael Porter Jr., Nicolas Claxton and others.

It’s also worth monitoring the LA Clippers, whose spending flexibility could change depending on the outcome of the NBA’s ongoing review of the Kawhi Leonard/Aspiration matter.

The league is examining whether any salary-cap rules were violated, and a finding against the team could lead to penalties that might alter Leonard’s contract status and the Clippers’ future cap sheet, which in turn could affect how aggressively they pursue outside talent in Reaves’ range.

Also, the Atlanta Hawks can opt out of the final year of Jonathan Kuminga’s contract and make additional moves to reach Reaves’ asking price.

Other teams can make trades as well to open flexibility, but realistically the Lakers’ competition is likely limited to Chicago and Brooklyn.

Realistic Ceiling/Floor Projection for a Lakers Contract

Without significant challenges from the Chicago Bulls or Brooklyn Nets or a long shot, the Lakers would have some negotiating leverage to reward Reaves enough but not to the maximum extent allowed.

As a veteran with five years of experience, he will be eligible to re-sign with the Lakers (once he opts out of his $14.9 million for 2026-27, a near lock) at a max salary of $41.3 million ($239.3 million over five years). That doesn’t mean the team is obligated to go that high.

The floor would probably be Jalen Johnson’s $30 million annual salary with the Atlanta Hawks. The most competing teams can offer Reaves is four years, $177.4 million.

In general, a franchise wants to pay its best players enough to keep them happy, but also needs to manage luxury taxes, aprons, and roster balance. Reaves’ representation should and likely will ask for max, making the negotiating range $30 million-$41.3 million. A compromise will be based on the starting salary (perhaps $35 million), number of years (presumably 3-5), raises, and other details such as options, trade bonuses, payment advances, etc.

For reference, a deal starting at $35 million with max raises and length is $203 million over five years. That potential should illustrate clearly why Reaves won’t extend before testing that market. A contract starting at $30 million can still hit $174 million over five years, nearly on par with what other teams can pay over four years.

Provided the Lakers and Reaves are motivated to get a deal done, they should be able to find common ground below a full max salary.

A Realistic Trade Partner?

Competing executives aren’t convinced the Lakers can win with a core duo of Dončić and Reaves. Of course, what other teams think is irrelevant to L.A., unless the front office agrees.

Seeing how well the Lakers competed over the last month before the recent spate of injuries could motivate a long-term commitment. If not, L.A. would presumably turn to a sign-and-trade to get value for a developing Reaves instead of losing him for nothing.

Rumors are what they are in the NBA—sometimes reliable, often not. Still, different teams believe the Utah Jazz have interest in Reaves.

In the absence of offers from cap-room teams like the Chicago Bulls and Brooklyn Nets—and if the Lakers aren’t willing to compensate handsomely—Reaves would need to choose a destination based on sign-and-trade suitors.

Along with what should be a high pick in the draft, the Jazz would have a high-potential roster with Lauri Markkanen, Jaren Jackson Jr., Keyonte George, and Reaves. That assumes the Lakers value a center like Walker Kessler, who also went out by sign-and-trade despite an early-season-ending shoulder injury.

The mechanics of such a deal would be complicated, though not impossible. Depending on Kessler’s starting salary, the Lakers could still have the means to chase players like Giannis Antetokounmpo or Trey Murphy III (perhaps with additional draft compensation coming with Kessler for Reaves).

While it’s a theory based on rumor, Reaves’ sign-and-trade potential shouldn’t be discounted entirely—though it’s more likely than not that the Lakers choose to keep him outright.

Also, Reaves has significant say over where he’ll play next, and that may not be with the Milwaukee Bucks, New Orleans Pelicans or Jazz, if those are the franchises the Lakers prefer to deal with (also theoretical).

Comments

LakerTom says

April 8, 2026 at 1:25 pm

FROM ABOVE ARTICLE:

Disappointing news hit the Los Angeles Lakers when Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves went down at the same time in a blowout loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Dončić (hamstring) is now overseas trying to fast-track his recovery in a long-shot push to be ready for the playoffs, while Reaves (oblique) is expected to miss another 3-5 weeks, casting serious doubt on a deep Lakers postseason run.

With Dončić already extended in August and Reaves headed toward free agency on July 1, the question now is whether he stays in L.A. or explores a bigger opportunity elsewhere.

Here are five things we’re hearing about his upcoming offseason.

Reaves Can Extend Today, and Here’s Why He Won’t

Reaves has been open about his preference to spend his career with the Lakers in Los Angeles. So, why hasn’t he already extended?

The 27-year-old guard has remained extension eligible since last July. He’s limited to an extension at 140 percent of his expiring figure ($13.9 million) or $19.5 million ($87.4 million over four). While that’s a lucrative amount, he is gambling that he’ll get more this summer.

Given his stats (23.3 points and 5.5 assists) and production on the third-best team in the Western Conference heading into the Thunder debacle (the Lakers may dip to the fifth seed without him and Dončić), Reaves should be able to get more in free agency than $87.4 million.

Lakers Can Reward Reaves and Add Talent

Reaves has built a clear chemistry with Dončić. Once LeBron James recognized, accepted and embraced that he needed to be third in the Lakers’ offensive pecking order, the group began to flourish.

Just as Dončić needed Kyrie Irving in Dallas with the Mavericks, Reaves is a dynamic creator who can play off the ball as needed or provide ball-handling relief for teams that choose to swarm Dončić with defenders.

The larger question this offseason for the Lakers is James’ status as an unrestricted free agent.

Assuming the franchise decides not to retain him at his current salary of $52.6 million and allocates those resources instead to younger players who can complement Dončić and Reaves long term, then Los Angeles has enough spending power to retain Reaves and spend elsewhere.

Unsigned, Reaves has a free-agent cap hold of $26.5 million (could be $20.9 million, if the NBA’s estimated average player salary dips lower than expected). Using the larger figure and depending on player options for Deandre Ayton and Marcus Smart, the Lakers could have nearly $53 million in available cap space.

That could grow if the team makes additional moves via trade (Dalton Knecht, Jarred Vanderbilt, its 2026 first-round pick, etc.).

That cap room could be used to flesh out the roster via free agency, or in trade to acquire players like Giannis Antetokounmpo or Trey Murphy III—provided the Lakers have enough to entice the Milwaukee Bucks or New Orleans Pelicans to deal.

Once the Lakers’ cap room is spent, the team would re-sign Reaves to a number that exceeds his cap hold.

The Market Looks Favorable to Lakers

The Lakers’ negotiating leverage with Reaves will depend on the market, which projects to have few potential suitors. His leverage depends on finding just one team willing to drive up his price.

Based on the NBA’s $165 million cap projection for 2026-27, the Chicago Bulls (about $63 million) and Brooklyn Nets ($44.8 million) should have the most available spending power to chase free agents this summer. Do they choose to go after Reaves? That’s unclear at this early stage.

The Bulls recently let go of their top basketball executive, Artūras Karnišovas. Until a replacement is in place, it’s difficult to gauge direction, though the recent approach was to build around a core of Josh Giddey and Matas Buzelis. Reaves could fit, though that may also depend on the results of the draft lottery on May 10.

Meanwhile, the Nets are among the worst teams in the league this season. A full rebuild, however, will be put on hold in 2026-27, given the Houston Rockets have first-round swap rights with Brooklyn (part of the James Harden trade). Reaves could fit alongside players such as Michael Porter Jr., Nicolas Claxton and others.

It’s also worth monitoring the LA Clippers, whose spending flexibility could change depending on the outcome of the NBA’s ongoing review of the Kawhi Leonard/Aspiration matter.

The league is examining whether any salary-cap rules were violated, and a finding against the team could lead to penalties that might alter Leonard’s contract status and the Clippers’ future cap sheet, which in turn could affect how aggressively they pursue outside talent in Reaves’ range.

Also, the Atlanta Hawks can opt out of the final year of Jonathan Kuminga’s contract and make additional moves to reach Reaves’ asking price.

Other teams can make trades as well to open flexibility, but realistically the Lakers’ competition is likely limited to Chicago and Brooklyn.

Realistic Ceiling/Floor Projection for a Lakers Contract

Without significant challenges from the Chicago Bulls or Brooklyn Nets or a long shot, the Lakers would have some negotiating leverage to reward Reaves enough but not to the maximum extent allowed.

As a veteran with five years of experience, he will be eligible to re-sign with the Lakers (once he opts out of his $14.9 million for 2026-27, a near lock) at a max salary of $41.3 million ($239.3 million over five years). That doesn’t mean the team is obligated to go that high.

The floor would probably be Jalen Johnson’s $30 million annual salary with the Atlanta Hawks. The most competing teams can offer Reaves is four years, $177.4 million.

In general, a franchise wants to pay its best players enough to keep them happy, but also needs to manage luxury taxes, aprons, and roster balance. Reaves’ representation should and likely will ask for max, making the negotiating range $30 million-$41.3 million. A compromise will be based on the starting salary (perhaps $35 million), number of years (presumably 3-5), raises, and other details such as options, trade bonuses, payment advances, etc.

For reference, a deal starting at $35 million with max raises and length is $203 million over five years. That potential should illustrate clearly why Reaves won’t extend before testing that market. A contract starting at $30 million can still hit $174 million over five years, nearly on par with what other teams can pay over four years.

Provided the Lakers and Reaves are motivated to get a deal done, they should be able to find common ground below a full max salary.

A Realistic Trade Partner?

Competing executives aren’t convinced the Lakers can win with a core duo of Dončić and Reaves. Of course, what other teams think is irrelevant to L.A., unless the front office agrees.

Seeing how well the Lakers competed over the last month before the recent spate of injuries could motivate a long-term commitment. If not, L.A. would presumably turn to a sign-and-trade to get value for a developing Reaves instead of losing him for nothing.

Rumors are what they are in the NBA—sometimes reliable, often not. Still, different teams believe the Utah Jazz have interest in Reaves.

In the absence of offers from cap-room teams like the Chicago Bulls and Brooklyn Nets—and if the Lakers aren’t willing to compensate handsomely—Reaves would need to choose a destination based on sign-and-trade suitors.

Along with what should be a high pick in the draft, the Jazz would have a high-potential roster with Lauri Markkanen, Jaren Jackson Jr., Keyonte George, and Reaves. That assumes the Lakers value a center like Walker Kessler, who also went out by sign-and-trade despite an early-season-ending shoulder injury.

The mechanics of such a deal would be complicated, though not impossible. Depending on Kessler’s starting salary, the Lakers could still have the means to chase players like Giannis Antetokounmpo or Trey Murphy III (perhaps with additional draft compensation coming with Kessler for Reaves).

While it’s a theory based on rumor, Reaves’ sign-and-trade potential shouldn’t be discounted entirely—though it’s more likely than not that the Lakers choose to keep him outright.

Also, Reaves has significant say over where he’ll play next, and that may not be with the Milwaukee Bucks, New Orleans Pelicans or Jazz, if those are the franchises the Lakers prefer to deal with (also theoretical).

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Jamie Sweet says

April 8, 2026 at 7:58 pm

70% chance he stays put.

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- LakerTom says
  
  April 9, 2026 at 9:49 am
  
  That’s probably reasonable. Max Lakers will pay Austin Reaves to start will be $35M. I still think Lakers should trade him to Jazz straight up for Walker Kessler and give OKC a couple of first round picks for Luguentz Dort. Then finish the summer off by stealing Peyton Watson from Nuggets.
  
  PG: Luka Doncic, Marcus Smart
  SG: Luguentz Dort, Luke Kennard
  SF: Peyton Watson, Jake LaRavia
  PF: LeBron James, Rui Hachimura
  CE: Walker Kessler, Jaxson Hayes
  
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