The Los Angeles Lakers proceed making headlines after their latest possession developments, however now consideration turns to one in every of their rising stars.
Austin Reaves has reached a crossroads that might outline his monetary future with the franchise.
The sharpshooting guard not too long ago decided that alerts confidence in his upward trajectory and market worth.
“Austin Reaves has declined a max contract extension provide from the Los Angeles Lakers that will have paid him $89.2 million over 4 seasons, per Dan Woike,” NBA Central shared on X.
Austin Reaves has declined a max contract extension provide from the Los Angeles Lakers that will have paid him $89.2 million over 4 seasons, per @DanWoikeSports
(h/t @RealGM ) pic.twitter.com/JHuA61zOz7
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) June 26, 2025
Reaves turned down the four-year extension price $89.2 million, selecting as a substitute to wager on himself for probably better rewards down the road.
The choice displays strategic considering somewhat than any want to go away Los Angeles.
His present contract state of affairs gives the flexibleness to make this calculated gamble. Reaves has one assured season remaining, plus a participant possibility for 2026-27.
That construction permits him to say no the choice and enter unrestricted free company, the place his market worth might command considerably extra money.
The timing is sensible given his latest efficiency surge. Reaves simply accomplished his finest skilled season, posting profession highs throughout a number of classes.
He averaged 20.2 factors, 5.8 assists, 4.5 rebounds, and a couple of.7 made three-pointers per recreation whereas capturing 46% from the sector and 38% from past the arc.
These numbers characterize constant development all through his 4 NBA seasons, with scoring and playmaking enhancing every year.
His 20-point, five-assist common positioned him amongst simply 10 gamers in Lakers franchise historical past to succeed in these benchmarks in a single season.
The development suggests Reaves believes his finest basketball lies forward, making the extension gamble an inexpensive threat for probably better monetary reward.
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