The Los Angeles Lakers are officially on the clock for paying Austin Reaves. With the NBA Finals over, and the New York Knicks crowned as NBA champions, the Lakers' exclusive negotiating window with their star guard is officially open. The questions are now when and how much?
This is not a matter of if. It never truly was. Reaves is going to get paid, and every indicator has pointed to that new contract coming in Los Angeles. Surprised? You shouldn't be.
The on-court growth speaks for itself. Reaves has gotten better every single season he has been in the NBA. Couple that with Luka Doncic's fondness of his backcourt partner, and this is an easy check to write.
It becomes that much easier when factoring in the impact AR15 delivers as a leader behind closed doors, too. Dan Woike made that point abundantly clear when assessing how much the star guard is worth in one of his newer write-ups for The Athletic.
"Reaves was also one of the most important voices inside the Lakers’ locker room a season ago, his leadership developing year over year. "
Austin Reaves has undeniably become a key figurehead for the Lakers
Reaves' importance to the Lakers on the floor speaks for itself. The star guard averaged 23.3 points, shooting 49.0 percent from the field and 36.0 percent from beyond the arc, 4.7 rebounds, 5.5 assists, and 1.1 steals in 34.5 minutes per game during the 2025-26 regular season.
Beyond the numbers, Reaves' malleability has always stood out on the court. The 28-year-old has been consistently capable of adapting himself to the role that was needed of him from the Lakers. The next round of duties he is on the hook for will be firmly embedding himself as the no. 2 behind Doncic.
Some will argue the playoff performances should scare the Lakers off from paying Reaves. Anyone truly pointing to the sample size in question over the last two years is assessing a collection of games that is flawed and imperfect, and deep down, they know it.
Reaves has cemented his place as one of the most important Lakers on the roster. The comments from Woike regarding the weight his words hold in the locker room only add to that.
With Reaves leaving his fingerprints on the franchise on and off the court, it would be shocking if the Lakers did not fork over the funds to pay him in the coming weeks. The homegrown star has consistently elevated himself internally within the organization. His next deal should be expected to reflect that.
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