Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves reacts after making a 3-point basket during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the New Orleans Pelicans, Friday, April 4, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/William Liang)
Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves declined a max extension this week that would have paid him $89.2 million over the next four NBA seasons, The Athletic reported Thursday.
Reaves, 27, is heading into the third season of a four-year, $54 million contract he signed in July 2023 as a restricted free agent.
READ: Austin Reaves enters hallowed Lakers territory with career high
He can opt out of that deal next summer and become an unrestricted free agent, potentially landing a much more lucrative and longer-term contract.
Reaves is betting on himself after averaging a career-high 20.2 points, 5.8 assists and 4.5 rebounds in 73 games (all starts) in 2024-25. He shot 37.7 percent from behind the arc and led the Lakers with 200 3-pointers.
Reaves is not necessarily looking for a change of scenery.
READ: All-too-familiar underdog story fuels Austin Reaves’ drive
“I want to be in L.A.,” he said earlier this month, per CBS Sports. “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.”
Undrafted in 2021, Reaves owns career averages of 14.5 points, 4.3 assists and 3.8 rebounds in 280 games (171 starts) for the Lakers. He ranks ninth in franchise history with 493 3-point field goals. –Field Level Media
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