Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves has reportedly turned down a significant contract extension, choosing to bet on his rising value and wait for a more lucrative opportunity next offseason.
According to reporting by The Athletic’s Dan Woike, the Lakers offered Reaves a four-year extension worth \$89.2 million—the maximum they are allowed to offer under current contract rules. Reaves, however, declined the offer, signaling a strategic move rather than any friction between the player and the organization.
Reaves, 26, still has two years left on his current contract—a four-year, $54 million deal he signed in 2023. He holds a player option for the 2025 offseason, giving him the ability to test the market a year from now. If his upward trajectory continues, the financial rewards could be significantly higher than the current max the Lakers can legally propose.
Sources close to the situation suggest that the decision didn’t catch the Lakers off guard. Both Reaves’ representatives and the team are reportedly on the same page, with no indications of bad blood. Despite trade rumors surfacing earlier in the summer, both camps have made it clear they intend to continue the relationship beyond next season.
Reaves is coming off a breakout 2024-25 campaign, where he averaged 20.2 points per game while shooting nearly 38% from beyond the arc. Once an undrafted rookie fighting for a roster spot, he’s now a vital piece of the Lakers’ core. His growth into a two-way threat and dependable scorer has turned heads across the league.
The decision to turn down \$89 million might seem bold on the surface, but with the salary cap expected to rise and Reaves’ market value climbing, it could prove to be a smart long-term financial move. If he continues performing at an elite level, multiple teams are likely to be ready with larger offers once he’s eligible to explore free agency in 2025.
While fans in Los Angeles might be uneasy about the uncertainty, the Lakers front office appears calm. The franchise values Reaves’ development and chemistry with the roster, and there’s no indication that they’re looking to move on. Likewise, Reaves has shown no desire to leave L.A., maintaining loyalty to the organization that gave him a shot in the league.
Austin Reaves has turned down a $89.2 million extension from the Lakers, aiming for a bigger contract in 2025. Find out why the guard is betting on himself at balleagues.com.
See also:
Lakers Trade Up in NBA Draft, Eyeing Size with Center Ryan Kalkbrenner in Sight
Detroit Pistons Eye Jonathan Kuminga to Strengthen Youth Movement
Former NBA All-Star Calls for LeBron James to Retire Amid Offseason Uncertainty
Could the Bulls Hand the Warriors a Trade Opportunity Too Good to Pass Up?
Dallas Cowboys Show Love to New Mavericks Star Cooper Flagg
Join 500K Subscribers For Updates
