Lakers’ Austin Reaves Turns Down Extension Offer, Eyes Bigger Deal In 2026

Lakers guard Austin Reaves isn’t looking to leave Los Angeles, but he is holding out for a bigger deal.

The Lakers recently offered Reaves a four-year, $89 million contract extension, which is the maximum allowed under current rules. The 27-year-old guard declined, league sources told The Athletic’s Dan Woike. The move was anticipated and is not viewed as a sign of tension between the sides.

Reaves is entering the third season of a four-year, $54 million contract and is expected to turn down his $14.9 million player option for the 2026–27 season to become an unrestricted free agent next summer. That would allow him to pursue a larger payday, and the Lakers would still hold his Bird Rights, giving them the ability to offer up to his full maximum salary.

The Arkansas native is coming off a career year in 2024–25, averaging 20.2 points, 5.8 assists, 4.5 rebounds and 1.1 steals in 73 games. He logged nearly 35 minutes per night while shooting 46 percent from the field, 37.7 percent from three-point range, and 87.7 percent from the free throw line.

Despite outside speculation, the Lakers have never seriously considered trading Reaves and continue to view him as a core piece of their long-term plans, according to Woike. Both sides are expected to revisit negotiations next offseason.

“I want to be in L.A. I want to play my whole career in L.A. I love it there. I love the fans. Love the weather, love the golf,” Reaves told K8 News earlier this month. “And obviously the Lakers are the best organization in basketball.”

Los Angeles continues to be aggressive in its search for center help, Woike adds, though nothing has materialized to this point.

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