Austin Reaves Rumors

Daniel Starkand: Austin Reaves welcomes Jake LaRavia to the Lakers after his successful recruitment pitch:

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Mike Trudell: “I’m pretty versatile on both sides of the ball,” added LaRavia. “Being able to space the floor, playing off guys like LeBron, Luka and Austin. And then defensively just being able to take on that toughest matchup is something that I’ve been growing on as my years have gone on. But I think I’ll fit right in as that 3 and D connector type player on this team. I’m excited to grow and develop here.”

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Trevor Lane: Regarding the report that Austin Reaves doesn't like playing with Luka Doncic, Reaves' agent @AMRAgency had this to say: "Austin has nothing but the utmost respect for Luka and truly enjoys playing alongside him. Any suggestion to the contrary is completely false. He’s excited to be on the court with Luka—both now and in the future."

x.com

“Well, we came into the segment talking about LeBron (a wing), Luka Dončić (a wing), and Austin Reaves (a wing). The Lakers still need a center, and we’re in day two of free agency. I spoke to a source familiar with the Lakers’ thinking today—they’re weighing several trade scenarios to try to acquire a center. One of them involves a team that’s likely making another trade. That trade would result in a surplus center, and the Lakers could then step in and approach that team.”

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NBA TV: "There are a lot of rival executives who hold Austin Reaves in high regard." @Chris Haynes weighs in on Reaves exploring free agency after turning down an initial contract offer from Los Angeles

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The Lakers are not making calls gauging Austin Reaves’ trade value, one of the sources said. .... Reaves, who turned down a nearly $90 million extension last week, is viewed as a key piece alongside Luka Doncic, the star the team is building around in the present and future.

New York Times

In the summer of 2026, he's eligible to sign a four-year, $98 million extension, or he can opt out of the final year of his contract, become an unrestricted free agent and be eligible for 25% of whatever the salary cap is for 2026-27. The Lakers made the offer, sources said, understanding that Reaves would turn it down, but the franchise wanted to show its interest in him nonetheless and did not want to send the wrong signal by not offering it. Both sides, sources told ESPN, are motivated to find a deal next summer.

ESPN

But rumors swirled this week, linking L.A. to trade talks with the Utah Jazz for center Walker Kessler and the Miami Heat for wing Andrew Wiggins, and representatives for both Reaves and Vincent were not contacted about any of the teams involved, sources told ESPN, which is customary when a trade nears the finish line.

ESPN

Mike Trudell: “It feels good, dream come true, just happy to be here,” said Thiero. “Playing for the Lakers too, that’s a blessing for sure.” Asked about the roster, Thiero laughed and said: “LeBron?! … It’s going to fun learning from everybody, but you got LeBron, Luka, AR … I’m just ready to get with the guys and work.”

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Four years after he went undrafted and signed with the Los Angeles Lakers, Austin Reaves is set to again wait — this time on a significant raise. League sources told The Athletic that Reaves formally declined a max extension with the Lakers this week that would’ve paid him $89.2 million over the next four seasons. He’s about to start the third year of a four-year, $54 million contract he signed as a restricted free agent in 2023 — also the max number he could receive from the Lakers at the time.

New York Times

The decision, league sources said, wasn’t a reflection of Reaves and the Lakers’ relationship. Instead, it’s almost a foregone conclusion considering the limitations placed on the amount the Lakers were allowed to offer this week.

New York Times

While center is an obvious need for the Lakers, it appears they’re also sniffing around the trade market for wings and a move could come as soon as this week, via Brian Windhorst of ESPN: “The Lakers aren’t just looking for a center, they are actively looking for wing players too. Look, you can be actively looking for whoever you want, doesn’t mean you will make a deal. But the Lakers are in conversations about trying to get wing players because they need wing defenders. The thing is, if they’re committed to Austin Reaves and they’re committed to Luka playing together, they gotta have more defense than just the center… I would expect the Lakers to do something before the end of the week trade-wise. I don’t know if it’s gonna be their center, but they’re definitely messing around.”

Lakers Nation

Austin on his future with the Lake show. “I think the sky’s the limit for us. We’re moving in the right direction. Obviously, adding Luka (Doncic), it gives you a hall of fame player such a young age that you can build around, and then obviously, still having Bron (Lebron James), the IQ, and still running around at forty years old, but I want to be in LA. I want to play my whole career in LA. I love it there. I love the fans. Love the weather, love the golf. And obviously the Lakers is the best organization in basketball. (on trade rumors) I don’t pay attention to it. I keep my head down work, and I feel like that’s one of the reasons I’m where I’m at.”

kait8.com

Two years later, that bargain contract could play a role in the guard becoming a free agent in the 2026 offseason. Because of his team-friendly salary, the maximum extension the Lakers can offer is four years, $89.2 million. The $19.9 million for the first year is 140% of the average player salary, the most allowed under the CBA. What to expect: Reaves should bypass signing an extension and enter free agency in 2026. Declining the $14.9 million player option in 2026-27 would give him more financial options on a fresh contract with the Lakers.

ESPN