Austin Reaves will easily be one of the biggest prizes in the upcoming free agency class for the summer of 2026. A familiar threat has seemingly reemerged in the sweepstakes for the Los Angeles Lakers star. Realistically, there is no actual reason for anyone in Los Angeles to panic here at all.
Bleacher Report's Eric Pincus appeared on a recent episode of Buha's Block and the subject of Reaves' coming free agency became a focus. A Western Conference foe was highlighted as a looming threat to lure away the star guard. The wheel of speculation started to roll.
Pincus said, “I’ve heard that the Utah Jazz like Austin Reaves. I don’t think that’s a shock, but I’ve heard that that’s one of the teams that’s interested in Austin Reaves."
The rumor here is odd given what everyone saw go down at the NBA trade deadline. If the Jazz wanted to give themselves a fair shake at getting their hands on Reaves in the summer, they would not have traded for Jaren Jackson Jr. A team that was once abundant in looming cap space for the 2026 free agency class cut into it a ton by adding Jackson's $49 million salary for the 2026-27 books.
Jazz have long been forgotten as a real threat to steal Austin Reaves
With the Jazz due to fork over some serious cash for the max deals of both Jackson and Lauri Markkanen ($46.1 million) in 2026-27, their finances are spoken for in a large way. They will not be without cap space altogether. It just falls short of the type of max deal Reaves would be owed.
The Jazz also have to take care of Walker Kessler in restricted free agency. If they do not, the Lakers could just return the favor by trying to poach one of their talents away.
Furthermore, the Jazz also have another key member of the roster to focus on, too. After a breakout campaign in 2025-26, Keyonte George will be due for a sizeable bag. Utah will need to sort out what a rookie extension looks like for the man averaging a career-high 23.8 points per game this season.
Reaves has been the focus of the Lakers' long-term plans for a while. That should not change with what the Jazz have to offer by knocking at the door.
The Lakers can give more money and a role as one of the two main stars of the franchise that has helped him blossom into the players he is today. Plus, Reaves gets to continue his bromance with Luka Doncic. There just is not a whole lot to fear in what the Jazz can do to alter his future anymore.