The Los Angeles Lakers need to ensure that Luka Doncic’s No. 2 option is excellent for the foreseeable future.
Thankfully for the 2025-26 NBA season, the Los Angeles Lakers have the dynamic duo of LeBron James and Luka Doncic.
After all, even at 40 years old, James is a terrific player who can take over games on any given night. But considering rumors about James’ departure in 2026, what then?
Well, the Lakers have an obvious answer for that as well – Austin Reaves.
Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty ImagesAustin Reaves needs to play a Kyrie Irving, Jalen Brunson-esque role for Luka Doncic
With Doncic signing a massive three-year, $165m extension, he has made a commitment to the Purple and Gold. However, to ensure Luka spends the rest of his career in LA, the organization needs to make sure that the 26-year-old has a solid second option.
The Dallas Mavericks figured that out as Doncic had Jalen Brunson in 2022 and Kyrie Irving in 2024 as their second options. In 2022, the Mavs reached the Western Conference Finals, and they made it to the NBA Finals in 2024.
So, what’s the learning from it? A guard who can shoot well from deep is the perfect Robin to Doncic’s Batman. To do that, the Lakers would need to offer Reaves a contract extension next summer.
“‘I think he will get $30 [million] plus,’ one executive told ESPN, echoing multiple front office sources who were asked about the next deal Reaves could command,” Tim Bontemps of ESPN revealed.
He added: “The expectation, from both that executive and others, is that Reaves ultimately will return to Los Angeles, which would cement Reaves’ role as the long-term running mate next to Doncic in L.A.’s backcourt — the role once held by Brunson then Irving in Dallas.”
Reaves has already turned down the Lakers’ four-year, $90m offer this summer. All signs now point to Reaves getting a massive payday next summer as Doncic’s second-in-command.
Before a potential $30m-plus deal, Austin Reaves still needs to prove himself in the playoffs
Reaves’ 2024-25 campaign was the best regular-season performance that Laker Nation witnessed from the undrafted guard in his career. He averaged 20.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 5.8 assists per game.
Moreover, AR15 took over the game if and when required by head coach JJ Redick. So, what’s the issue in offering Reaves a $30m-plus per year deal?
“This is a big season for him. He’d better bring it in the playoffs, because he’s got to be good enough [to pair with Doncic],” one Western Conference assistant coach said, per ESPN.
For context, Reaves’ numbers dropped to 16.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the postseason. He also shot an underwhelming 41.1% from the field and 31.9% from the three-point line.
So, unless Reaves can prove that he’s not a playoff dropper, it wouldn’t be a surprise if the Lakers hold up handing the 27-year-old the biggest contract of his NBA career.