Los Angeles Lakers star Austin Reeves was able to sign a new contract extension with the team this offseason.
The 2024-25 NBA season was the best campaign of Austin Reeves’ career. He averaged solid 20.2 points, 4.5 rebounds and 5.8 assists per game while playing in 73 contests during the regular season.
Reaves did so by being the second or third scoring option most nights. Clearly, he has become an integral part of the Lakers lineup.
However, Reaves’ value was at the highest ever, prompting the Lakers to trade him. With these rumors going on, the Lakers had to consider Reaves’ contract status as they enter their third year of a four-year, $53.8 million deal.
Reaves’ current deals have player options in the final year of the contract. Therefore, the 2025-26 season could be his last in the iconic purple and gold jersey.
In addition to that, Reaves reportedly was offered a maximum contract extension of four years by the Lakers. However, the 27-year-old refused the offer.
When the news came out, the Laker nation responded in X to it in a divided response.
“Swap him now,” the fan wrote. While another asked: “Did you think he wanted to do his entire career with the Lakers?”
The third fan of “Dennis Schroeder Aver Agon Again Smh” created a Dennis Schroeder point.
“Everyone knew this was going to happen,” fans pointed out.
“My peers really have to bet their house on them and respect that,” another fan said.
“He’s about to get paid,” announced a fan of the 6th Lakers.
As mentioned earlier, some fans were furious at Reaves for rejecting the offer, while others understood that the four-year NBA veteran wanted more payments next summer.
With a second apron and many other financial penalties in place, it is difficult for teams to maintain their core for a long time.
But is Reaves’ denial of the four-year biggest expansion a sign that he broke up with the Lakers? I don’t think so at Athletic’s Dunweek.
“The decision does not reflect the relationship between Reeves and the Lakers, according to league sources, which instead is a pretty obvious conclusion given the restrictions imposed on the amounts the Lakers were allowed to provide this week,” Woike wrote.
He added: “Potential free agency upcoming meant that his name would come and go on rumors on the first day of the NBA Draft.
“The Lakers have never shown any interest in Reeve’s dealings and continue to hold him at high value.”
This is great for Reaves, as the Lakers can try and trade with other stars without including him in the offer.