As pivotal as this upcoming 2025 offseason is for the Los Angeles Lakers, 2026 looms just as large. That is all, of course, due to one man. That would be Austin Reaves.
With a player option for the 2026-27 season, and a contract that is being significantly outperformed, Reaves is positioned well to hit free agency in the 2026 offseason and allow himself an opportunity to get a massive pay day. The Lakers will have plenty of challengers for his services.
Who is the biggest threat to the Lakers' hopes of retaining Reaves? Sam Vecenie of the Game Theory Podcast thought it was the Utah Jazz.
"It's very clearly Austin Reaves," Vecenie said of who should be the Jazz's top target in 2026. "He fits the age timeline, he's [a] perfect fit in Utah for myriad reasons."
The podcast host explained the obvious needs of someone who can run the offense in Utah. Vecenie believes that Reaves 'ticks every box' for the Jazz, and that 'selling out' to get him is the obvious move for their organization.
Natural fit in Utah creates concern for Los Angeles
Vecenie explained the Jazz can create a max contract spot for Reaves. This would allow them to directly compete with the Lakers financially in free agency. At the very least, it would force Rob Pelinka and company to offer a higher contract number they would have thought to be ideal.
How threatening should the Lakers find the Jazz as a challenger for Reaves? They should not take the situation lightly, that's for sure.
Reaves would not only walk away with a healthy contract in hand, but an opportunity for an expanded role in Utah. The Lakers guard would be given the keys to the offense and have an opportunity to cement himself as a number one option with the Jazz.
Would Reaves want an opportunity to prove himself as a top offensive option in the NBA? That much is unclear. However, if the answer was yes, the flight risk would be heightened.
Reaves will certainly be coming up on a future where the talented offensive guard can slot into the number two role behind Luka Doncic. When LeBron James finally decides to call it a career, that opportunity will be there.
If Reaves is content with that thought and waiting out James, there should be less issues regarding a growing desire to leave and see his future elsewhere. Are the Lakers willing to take that risk?
If not, there are certainly avenues to explore which get Reaves to Utah via trade before having to face that tough decision. It's not like the Jazz are short on players who could help the Lakers push for a championship in the near future.
The discussion of Reaves' future in Los Angeles will follow the Lakers until there is a clear resolution to it. Rob Pelinka will have the ultimate say in how long these conversations continue.