Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves has put himself in prime position to receive a significant payday in the near future.
### Reaves’ All-Star Caliber Play Elevates Lakers
Reaves has been among the top performers in the league to start the season, certainly playing at an All-Star level. The Lakers, as a result, have emerged as one of the NBA’s better teams—a success owed in large part to Reaves’ contributions on both ends of the court.
With LeBron James sidelined for the start of the campaign, and Luka Doncic missing time as well, Reaves has stepped up massively to fill the void.
### Contract Implications: Lakers Face Big Decision
The burning question for the Lakers now is how much they’ll need to pay Reaves to keep him in purple and gold. According to ESPN’s Bobby Marks, the most likely scenario is that Reaves will decline his player option and become an unrestricted free agent. This move would allow him to sign a maximum five-year, $241 million deal with Los Angeles.
> “To say that Reaves has taken advantage of early season injuries to Luka Doncic and James is an understatement. Because NBA rules restrict the Lakers from extending Reaves up to 140% of the average player (four-years, $87.4 million with a starting salary of $19.5 million next season), it is highly unlikely he will sign a new contract prior to June 30. The more likely scenario is for Reaves to decline his player option and become an unrestricted free agent,” wrote Marks.
> “If he does, Reaves will be eligible to sign for up to five-years, $241 million with the Lakers. The Lakers could still have nearly $50 million in cap space even if Reaves signs a new contract.”
### Lakers Likely to Retain Reaves
While it’s never ideal to let a standout player become an unrestricted free agent, the Lakers are in a very strong position to re-sign Reaves, especially considering their cap situation. Few teams around the league have significant cap space, making it unlikely that Reaves will walk away in free agency.
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https://www.newsweek.com/sports/nba/lakers-get-241-million-contract-update-on-austin-reaves-amid-breakout-season-11045747
