Austin Reaves Wants to be 'Laker for Life'
Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves has been sending signals all summer about wanting a massive contract. The deal won't be negotiated until next summer, but there is an expectation of what it could look like.
Trusted Lakers insider, Jovan Buha, is reporting that executives around the league are preparing for Reaves to receive at least $30 million annually.
That may seem like a hefty price tag, but that is simply the going rate for players of his caliber today. Reaves is arguably better than players like Toronto Raptors guard Immanuel Quickley and Phoenix Suns guard Jalen Green, who both are right around the $30 million range.
After going undrafted in 2021, Reaves has blossomed into one of the brightest young players in the league. He has improved his scoring and rebounding in each of his four NBA seasons, a feat that has some fans convinced he can develop into more than just an elite role player.
According to Buha, Reaves had interest from teams in the 2021 draft, but he declined those offers to guarantee a chance to sign with the Lakers. So, it is not surprising that Buha is also reporting that the undrafted star wants to be a 'Laker for life.'
There haven't been very many players in the history of sports who have spent their entire careers with just one team, so in an era of fluid player movement, it would be especially unusual. But, there seems to be a love affair between Reaves and the fanbase, so it makes sense why he would want to spend his entire career in LA.
Reaves averaged 20.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 5.8 assists per game last season on incredible efficiency as he played third fiddle to LeBron James and Luka Doncic. His stock among fans took a hit with a disappointing playoff series against the Minnesota Timberwolves, but clearly league executives feel differently.
Luckily for Reaves, he likely won't negotiate a new deal until next summer to maximize his profits, so he has plenty of time to rewrite his narrative. Another strong season could grant him his wish of being a Laker for life.This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Aug 15, 2025, where it first appeared.
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