Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves has emerged as one of the team’s most important young pieces, and his contract situation is shaping up to be one of the NBA’s most-watched storylines heading into next summer. Reaves declined the Lakers’ four-year, $89.2 million extension earlier this offseason, signaling he intends to test unrestricted free agency before committing long-term.
According to NBC Sports’ Kurt Helin, Reaves is targeting a deal “in the Tyler Herro range of $30 million a year,” citing Herro as a reasonable benchmark. The Miami Heat wing, a 13th overall pick in 2019, signed a rookie-scale extension worth $130 million over four years in 2022 and has since blossomed into an All-Star as the team’s primary scorer and playmaker.
Reaves, two years Herro’s senior, could have been that go-to player on a weaker team. Last season, he was clearly the Lakers’ third-best option behind LeBron James and Anthony Davis, who was subsequently traded for Luka Doncic.
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“If Reaves shows this season that he can be a high-level scorer next to Luka and step up in the playoffs, the Lakers gladly will pay that much to keep him,” Helin wrote. “However, if he struggles again in the playoffs, the Lakers — who will have a lot of cap space — may question whether that is the best way to spend their money.”
Reaves’ playoff performance last year highlighted the challenge. He averaged 16.2 points on 41.1% shooting and 31.9% from three in the first-round loss to Minnesota — a noticeable drop from his regular-season career-best averages of 20.2 points on 46% shooting and 37.7% from beyond the arc.
Still, Reaves remains confident about his trajectory. “Just play better,” he told reporters after the playoff exit. “I feel like I’m talented enough to do that… I’ve continued to prove myself over and over again, and I’m going to go to work and do the same thing next year.”
From a financial perspective, Reaves’ upcoming free agency could be lucrative. He will be eligible for 25% of any team’s salary cap in the 2026-27 season if he opts out, which translates to a potential starting salary of roughly $42.5 million under a max contract, according to ESPN’s Bobby Marks. Rumors suggest Reaves is hoping for something closer to $30 million annually — a figure that would make him a strong, cost-effective second option next to Doncic.
Lakers management appears motivated to keep Reaves in Los Angeles. ESPN’s Dave McMenamin reports that both sides are intent on a deal next summer, with Reaves expressing affection for the city and organization. “I love the fans. I love the weather, love the golf. And obviously, the Lakers are the best organization in basketball,” Reaves said during his June youth camp. “I don’t pay attention to [the trade rumors]. I keep my head down, work, and I feel like that’s one of the reasons I’m where I’m at.”
Yet experts caution that Reaves’ salary expectations may overshoot his current production. While his development story is impressive — undrafted to potential max-contract player — he has yet to achieve the consistent scoring and playmaking Herro has demonstrated. Herro has earned an All-Star selection and Sixth Man of the Year honors, while Reaves’ career averages (14.5 points and 4.3 assists per game) remain lower.
A more fitting comparison might be Chicago Bulls guard Coby White, whose skill set and trajectory align more closely with Reaves. White’s recent four-year, $89 million extension averages roughly $7.5 million less per year than the $30 million Reaves reportedly seeks.
Ultimately, Reaves’ value will depend on next season’s performance. If he elevates his scoring and playmaking alongside Doncic, the $30 million range could be justified. Until then, paying Herro-level money would be seen by many analysts as premature.
Lakers president Jeanie Buss has publicly praised Reaves’ work ethic and competitive drive. “The way he plays the game, fights for every ball, sacrifices his body…you can’t help but cheer for him,” Buss said. “We’re just lucky to have him.” Yet even with that support, the organization must carefully weigh investment versus production.
For now, Reaves remains a key piece of the Lakers’ future. How next season unfolds will determine whether he truly commands the payday he seeks — and whether Los Angeles can secure its rising star alongside Luka Doncic without compromising roster flexibility.