Has guard Austin Reaves gotten too expensive for his Los Angeles Lakers?<\/p>\n
The 6-foot-5 Oklahoma product, 27, is in the midst of a breakout run to kick off the 2025-26 season for the 8-3 Lakers. <\/p>\n
Through eight healthy contests with Los Angeles so far, Reaves averaged 30.3 points on .480\/.324\/.880 shooting splits, 9.0 assists, 5.1 rebounds, and 1.5 steals a night. He suddenly is playing at the level of Kyrie Irving and Jalen Brunson, the All-Star secondary ball handlers alongside whom five-time All-NBA Lakers guard Luka Doncic enjoyed his most success while with the Dallas Mavericks.<\/p>\n
More news: Lakers Guard Bronny James Takes Shot At His Own Rookie Season<\/a><\/p>\n Over the summer, the Lakers did hop on a videoconference call with Reaves and his reps at AMR Agency, Aaron Reilly and Reggie Berry, to tender a four-season, $89 million contract extension offer his way, per ESPN’s Dave McMenamin<\/a>. It was a mere formality, as both sides knew Reaves could fetch much more in unrestricted free agency next summer.<\/p>\n Reaves will be able to ink a five-year, $241 million maximum salary with Los Angeles if he declines his player option for 2026-27. He could sign a four-season, $178.5 million contract elsewhere.<\/p>\n A rival Eastern Conference front office executive believes a surprise squad in their conference should go all-in for the $178.5 million deal.<\/p>\n Reaves in Brooklyn?<\/p>\n “AR’s a stud,” the executive told McMenamin. “If I were the Brooklyn Nets, I would throw all the money at him. He has shown when he gets the keys to the engine, he can produce.” <\/p>\n