Austin Reaves is reportedly due to sign a max extension to his contract that could earn the Oklahoma native a massive $246.7 million if he is able to meet the very specific criteria for the Los Angeles Lakers. Reaves is coming off the back of his best season in his career and reportedly turned down a contract offer from the Lakers recently. Reaves has taken his time to consider his future in the NBA and will surely be committing to the Lakers after making some public statements about staying in LA.
The Los Angeles Lakers were at the center of some drama this season
The Lakers were hoping for a better showing in the 2024-25 season. After the surprise trade of Anthony Davis to the Dallas Mavericks for Luka Doncic, the expectations were that the Lakers would find immediate success. That was not to be the case as the Lakers struggled to protect the paint and failed to make a playoff run this year, failing to make it past the first round.
Austin Reaves has been working on his game since joining the Lakers. His rookie season went as expected. But nobody could have expected the improvements that Reaves has been showing lately in the NBA. Many players who come into the NBA struggle to come close to performing at the same standards that Reaves has. His improvements have been staggering to watch.
Austin Reaves turned down a recent offer from the Los Angeles Lakers
Austin Reaves was due to receive a big-money offer from the Los Angeles Lakers. Many have speculated as to what financial tag the Lakers would give Austin Reaves by offering him a contract extension. Those answers were put to rest when the Lakers offered Reaves a $89.2 million, four-year contract extension. Which he declined, which was expected.
ESPN’s Bobby Marks recently reported that if Austin Reaves were to wait one more year, we would potentially receive a five-year, $246.7 million contract extension by the Lakers. The Lakers have made history this offseason, and this report by Bobby Marks points to a real possibility if Reaves can continue to improve and make an All-NBA team selection, an MVP nod, or win Defensive Player of the Year, all of which are criteria for a max extension.
What are Austin Reaves’ thoughts about playing for the Lakers long-term?
The Los Angeles Lakers are one of the best-known brands in the sports world, and as such, they need the best players in the NBA to commit long-term to the team. They need franchise players to bring the team back to the glory of winning a title once again. Following the rumors surrounding his future, Reaves had the following to say:
“I want to be in L.A. If they want to trade me, then we’ll start something new somewhere else. But like I said, I want to be in L.A. I want to be in L.A. I want to play my whole career in L.A. I love it there. I love the fans. Love the weather, love the golf. And obviously, the Lakers is the best organization in basketball. I don’t pay attention to [the noise]. I keep my head down, work, and I feel like that’s one of the reasons I’m where I’m at.”
Will Austin Reaves stay in Los Angeles or be lured away by a big-money deal?
The NBA has a reputation for players switching teams very regularly, and the rumors this offseason around several players have lit up the headlines of the NBA. Following his consistent improvements every year for the Lakers, Reaves is surely fully aware of his worth to the team and the city of Los Angeles. Declining the recent $89.2 million, four-year contract extension the Lakers offered him showed that Austin Reaves has the maturity to wait out the situation so he can get an even bigger deal from the Lakers.
