The Los Angeles Lakers and guard Austin Reaves have both expressed a desire to continue their partnership, according to statements made on May 12 by team general manager Rob Pelinka. Reaves, who joined the Lakers as an undrafted player on a two-way contract five seasons ago, is expected to opt out of his current deal and enter free agency this summer.
Reaves has become an important part of the Lakers’ roster, developing into what Pelinka described as a “borderline All-Star” during his time with the franchise. The upcoming free agency period will determine whether he remains with the team for the long term.
“Austin Reaves started his NBA odyssey with the Lakers on that court right over there,” Pelinka said during his annual end-of-season press conference. “I remember it was a Draft workout, in fact I was talking to Austin [Monday] night, he was having a pregame meal, and we were talking about how drained and exhausted he was by the Draft workout process and somehow he mustered up strength to have a great Lakers workout. I remember actually being here with my son watching that, which was one of the turning points of getting him here. Just that workout and how he approached it.
“He started his journey here as a Laker and has made it very clear to us that he wants his journey to continue as a Laker. And we feel the same way. We want his odyssey to continue to unfold in the purple and gold. As you know, there’s rules and timing to all of that, but I think both sides have made it abundantly clear we that want to work something out where he continues his prolific career here.”
Despite injuries this season, Reaves averaged 23.3 points, 4.7 rebounds and 5.5 assists per game while shooting 49% from the field and 36% from three-point range. He played alongside Luka Doncic as part of one of this season’s highest-scoring duos in the league.
Reaves addressed questions about free agency after the season ended: “I’m gonna be honest. Like I said, I’ve been around for five years. Y’all, I would say know me pretty well… But I don’t think about much. I take life day-by-day, and I’m just blessed to have an opportunity to play for this organization,” Reaves said.
“I play a kid’s game; I make good money. Like I said, I don’t think about what I’m really gonna do in the future. I’m just day-by-day.”
The maximum contract available for Reaves would be five years at $241 million; however there is no indication yet if either side will pursue such terms.