LeBron James’ looming offseason decision will remain the focal point for the Los Angeles Lakers going forward.
The 41-year-old must decide what’s next sooner rather than later, as it’ll help shape Los Angeles’ upcoming offseason.
Austin Reaves is another key Lakers contributor the organization will monitor closely this summer, as there’s no guarantee he’ll return to Los Angeles in 2027-28 given his current contract status (he holds a $14.8 million player option for the next season, which he could decline to seek a larger deal).
ESPN’s Tim Bontemps recently tabbed the Brooklyn Nets as a team that could pry Reaves from Los Angeles in the offseason.
“The majority opinion is that Reaves will remain in Los Angeles — and on a massive raise,” Bontemps wrote Thursday. But after playing on one of the best value contracts in the league the past few seasons, what number gets that done?”
“Several scouts and executives predict something in the range of five years, $200 million, but below his five-year max of $239 million, per ESPN’s Bobby Marks.”
“One potential bidder to watch this summer, sources said, is the Brooklyn Nets, who will enter the offseason with more than enough salary cap space to accommodate a max-type player.”
While Reaves likely wouldn’t be thrilled to join a rebuilding Nets squad that won’t emerge as contenders in the Eastern Conference anytime soon, he could take solace in knowing he would be the organization’s go-to off-the-dribble playmaker from the get-go.
Michael Porter Jr. is a high-level catch-and-shoot perimeter weapon, but he isn’t comparable to Reaves when it comes to creating his own shot/offense regularly. Reaves averaged 23.3 points, 5.5 assists, and 4.7 rebounds as the Lakers No. 2 scoring option when Luka Doncic was healthy and No. 1 scoring option when Doncic was unavailable.
Bontemps’ report should make one thing clear to the Lakers: they won’t be the only team vying for Reaves’ services this summer.
More NBA news: