The Los Angeles Lakers have given Austin Reaves a contract that will test the limits of his potential at four years and $180 million. In saying that, Los Angeles has also equipped Reaves with the necessary support to maximize his potential—both by accentuating his strengths and challenging him to address his flaws.
2026-27 will be a make or break season for Reaves despite the new deal, but he has what he needs around him to prove that he's worth the money.
It's admittedly difficult to argue that the first season on a four-year deal is a make-or-break campaign. The harsh reality in Los Angeles, however, is that the jury is still out in regard to Reaves' ability to function as a true No. 2 on a championship contender.
Up to this point in his career, Reaves has complemented a superstar duo of either Anthony Davis and LeBron James or Luka Doncic and James.
With James joining the Philadelphia 76ers, however, Reaves has officially moved into the role of No. 2 on offense. If he can't prove up to the task, then the Lakers will need to immediately look at other options and potentially attempt to offload his salary.
Harsh as that may sound, Doncic is in his prime at 27 years of age and the Lakers have no time to waste in giving him the co-star he needs to make a run at an elusive championship.
Austin Reaves will have strong support on both ends of the floor
On the defensive end of the floor, Quentin Grimes will likely take on the best guard scorers on opposing teams. In 2025-26, he ranked in the 87th percentile in perimeter isolation defense and the 81st percentile in matchup difficulty as a defender, per Basketball Index.
If nothing else, that should free Reaves up to continue to excel as an off-ball defender. The challenge will then be holding his own against opposing team's second option along the perimeter in isolation.
Thankfully, the Lakers have provided quite the safety net for Reaves if he encounters issues in that capacity. Walker Kessler is not only an excellent rebounder on both ends of the floor, but one of the NBA's best rim protectors. In 2024-25, his last healthy season, he ranked in the 99th percentile in rim protection and the 97th percentile in rim deterrence.
Compounded by the presence of defensive-minded wings such as Cameron Carr, Jake LaRavia, Matisse Thybulle, Jarred Vanderbilt, and Ziaire Williams, Reaves should have far more support than he received in 2025-26.
Austin Reaves has been positioned to play his preferred style as a No. 2
On offense, Los Angeles' offseason moves have all been made with a clear hierarchy in mind. Doncic is the No. 1 as a two-time scoring champion, elite playmaker, and All-NBA First Team honoree, while Reaves will play a high-usage role as the No. 2.
Alongside them will be quality offensive players who project to play critical roles, but don't necessarily need the ball in their hands to be effective.
Kessler, for instance, is an elite offensive rebounder with career averages of 3.4 per game and 4.8 per 36 minutes. Grimes is a quality playmaker and slasher, but he's thrived in more of a complementary role and shot 38.3 percent on catch-and-shoot threes in 2025-26 and 39.4 percent in 2024-25.
Sexton is an excellent shot creator at point guard, but he'll play more as a sixth man and offers elite catch-and-shoot efficiency at 44.5 percent in 2025-26, 43.8 percent in 2024-25, and 44.7 percent in 2023-24.
Mamukelashvili, meanwhile, offers value as a screener who can roll to the basket or space the floor at 38.9 percent on catch-and-shoot threes. This all amounts to the Lakers providing Reaves, a downhill scorer and playmaker, with the supporting cast he needs to not only be featured on offense, but surrounded by shooters.
The burden now rests on Reaves' shoulders to deliver in the playoffs and step up as an isolation defender now that he's paid massive money and positioned to excel.
Add us as a preferred source on Google