LOS ANGELES – Luka Doncic’s contract decision dominated the NBA news cycle this offseason. To the Lakers’ relief, Doncic signed a three-year, $165 million extension the moment he became eligible. While his future is now secure, the Lakers still face serious questions. Chief among them: LeBron James has yet to decide on his next move. He’s expected to make a decision regarding his future before training camp. But perhaps as critical is the looming free agency of Austin Reaves. How the Lakers approach Reaves’ next contract will shape their future—and Luka Doncic’s future running mate.
SOURCES: Luka Doncic’s Robin Is Closer Than You Think
Reaves Has Earned His Shot, But the Price Is Rising
Reaves averaged 20.2 points and 5.8 assists last season while shooting 37% from deep over his career. He’s gone from an undrafted rookie to a foundational player for the Lakers. According to ESPN Insiders, one executive said, “I think he will get $30 [million] plus,” referring to Reaves’ potential market value. That view was echoed by several others across the league.
Retaining Austin Reaves would secure the Lakers’ backcourt of the future, placing him in the co-star role next to Luka Doncic. This would continue Doncic’s recent trend of developing dynamic guard pairings. Doncic previously shared backcourts with elite names—Jalen Brunson and Kyrie Irving. Reaves could be next in line. Brunson just led the Knicks to their first conference finals appearance in 25 years. Irving is still a top-tier scorer. Reaves has yet to reach All-Star status, but he’s not far off.
Reaves Still Has Something to Prove
The pairing of Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves isn’t just theoretical. League executives increasingly view it as inevitable. But Reaves must show he’s capable of being a true playoff contributor.
He struggled in the Lakers’ first-round exit to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Reaves shot just 31.9% from three and averaged nearly three turnovers per game. “This is a big season for him,” a Western Conference assistant told ESPN. “He’d better bring it in the playoffs, because he’s got to be good enough [to pair with Doncic].”
Reaves still has time to change the narrative. His offensive versatility, pick-and-roll polish, and three-point shooting could make him the ideal running mate for Doncic.
Financial Realities Could Complicate Things
The new collective bargaining agreement forces teams to think hard about every big contract. The Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves partnership looks great on paper—but will it make sense on the balance sheet?
Reaves will hit unrestricted free agency next summer. Teams around the league are watching. The Lakers must decide: do they view Reaves as a true second option, or as a complementary piece? The answer could define how long Doncic stays happy in Los Angeles. And it could determine whether the Lakers make a deep run in the next few seasons—or fall apart under the weight of bad decisions.
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