The Los Angeles Lakers agreed to a $185 million contract with Austin Reaves, but the star agreed to lower the amount to $180 million over four years to help the franchise build their roster. His salary isn’t the full max in the 2027-28 season to give LA the flexibility to use the full non-taxpayer mid-level exception next summer. The Lakers have a star duo, and must keep building around them. Reaves’ gift gives the front office the opportunity to add another key piece for years to come.
The purple and gold completely retooled their roster around Luka Doncic this summer. LeBron James, Marcus Smart, Deandre Ayton, Rui Hachimura, Luke Kennard, Jaxson Hayes, Maxi Kleber, and Nick Smith Jr. were all shown the door. Rob Pelinka wanted a younger squad with more athleticism around Luka. The key piece was trading for Walker Kessler, and fans may be surprised by his game. This is a new-look squad, but it is just year one in building around Doncic.
Championship rosters often take multiple transaction cycles to build out. It is all about taking steps in the right direction. The Lakers are wisely heading there. They found a rim protector and lob threat at the five. Quentin Grimes, Collin Sexton, Sandro Mamukelashvili, Ziaire Williams, and Kevon Looney could all be role players, but there is still one missing piece. That is why Reaves taking less was massive.
Austin Reaves took less to improve Lakers’ financial flexibility next summer
Los Angeles just signed Grimes for the non-taxpayer mid-level exception. He is expected to start next to Doncic and Reaves and play 30-plus minutes for the Lakers. Other players that went in that price range were Tobias Harris, John Collins, Mitchell Robinson, and Hachimura. All of those are important role players joining teams looking to contend.
The Lakers would have been limited to the taxpayer mid-level exception if Reaves didn’t take the pay cut. That is a nearly $9 million difference in the 2026-27 season. The salary cap is projected to rise next summer. It is the difference between one of the players above and signing someone like Luke Kennard or Marcus Smart.
Rob Pelinka has to build a title-contending roster around Luka now. The 27-year-old is in the middle of his prime and hungry to win a championship. Doncic led the Mavericks to the NBA Finals in 2024 and wants to take that final step. He has just two guaranteed years left on his contract, so the Lakers have to quickly prove to Luka that Los Angeles is the place to win a ring.
Austin Reaves gifted the Los Angeles Lakers financial flexibility by taking $5 million less in his new contract. Rob Pelinka and the front office can’t afford to waste it. If used wisely, the purple and gold could get another core piece around number 77. The Lakers must keep adding to win a title, and fans should be thanking AR if it happens. Every dollar matters in the second apron era, so this was massive. Â
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