New Report on Austin Reaves' Relationship With Lakers After $89 Million Decision
New Report on Austin Reaves' Relationship With Lakers After $89 Million Decision originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
The Los Angeles Lakers entered the offseason focused on internal stability while exploring ways to upgrade their roster around LeBron James and Luka Doncic. After a first-round playoff exit and growing speculation around trade possibilities, team executives have remained active in extension talks with core rotation players in hopes of avoiding further uncertainty during the season.
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One player that has consistently been brought up in trade rumors is fourth-year guard Austin Reaves, despite an impressive 2024-25 season. Reaves, who signed a four-year, $54 million deal as a restricted free agent in 2023, was eligible this offseason for an extension worth up to $89.2 million over four years—the maximum allowed by league rules under his current deal.
Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15)Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images
However, according to The Athletic's Dan Woike, Reaves declined that offer earlier this week, which means he will enter free agency next off season.
'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," Woike wrote. "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"
In an important part of the report, Woike also noted that the decision "wasn't a reflection of Reaves and the Lakers' relationship," but rather a calculated move to enter unrestricted free agency in 2025, when he could command a significantly larger deal.
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Nonetheless, reactions from Lakers fans were mixed following the report.
'Oh yeah he wants his 4YR $150M deal lol," said one.
'I know we expected this but it still makes me nervous 🥲,' another fan added.
'Luka and Reaves making almost 100 mil a year combined isn't a winning team ngl gotta trade Reaves for better fits around Luka,' one user posted.
'PELINKA trade him already damn it what the hell are you doing?' one fan wrote.
'He and Rui would be packed up and traded by now if it were me,' another fan added.
Related: Lakers Fans React to Russell Westbrook News on Thursday
Related: Lakers Fans Excited After Unexpected Nikola Jokic Trade Message From Nuggets Owner
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 26, 2025, where it first appeared.
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