Statistically, the 2026 NBA Playoffs were not kind to Austin Reaves. For some, that was validating of their belief about the Los Angeles Lakers guard not deserving a big pay bump. For the rest of the rational folk out there, the circumstantial struggles were more than understandable.
Reaves averaged 20.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 5.8 assists per game in the 2026 postseason. The issues came with his efficiency and his turnovers. The Lakers guard posted lackluster shooting splits of 41-26-86 to go with 4.5 turnovers per game. Yikes? Yikes.
That had people talking. Was Reaves a fraud? If you ignore the two gargantuan-sized elephants in the room that led to those struggles, sure. However, most were understanding enough to factor in both the lack of Luka Doncic and the Grade 2 oblique strain in discussing those issues. That is what Dan Woike reaffirmed in taking the temperature of the room on AR's looming free agency.
"Enough scouts around the league focus more on what Reaves did this season to put him near the very top of this free-agent class, if not at the very top. ... Scarcity has certainly aided his free-agency case and helped ease some of the concerns teams have about him."
Lakers getting a discount on Austin Reaves due to his playoff struggles is unlikely
To illustrate the type of money Reaves is still expected to command, Woike reported the Brooklyn Nets are expected to offer the Lakers guard a sizable deal at four years, $178.5 million. That is almost $45 million on average for his services.
Would Reaves go to a lowly place like Brooklyn? Tough to say, but it does speak to the fact that his offseason bag has certainly not disappeared after a playoff run that left many wanting more.
Anyone truly surprised at that being the case? You shouldn't be.
Reaves has consistently shown signs of growth, malleability, and upside throughout his five seasons in the NBA. Going from an undrafted rookie to an NBA star is no small feat, and it is set to be rewarded adequately, whether that be by the Lakers or a rival suitor.
It should be Los Angeles, though. The Lakers do not really have a choice but to pay Reaves his money. Losing their homegrown talent for absolutely nothing would be malpractice in building around Doncic. That is especially true considering the affinity Luka has shown for his backcourt partner.
Reaves was outplaying the value of his old contract for years. His next one should be more closely connected to his current level of stardom.
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