Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves is projected to become an unrestricted free agent in the 2026 offseason, according to ESPN front office insider Bobby Marks.
In his recent breakdown of extension-eligible players, Marks explained that Reaves’ current contract structure significantly limits the Lakers’ ability to offer a competitive extension under the league’s collective bargaining agreement.
The Lakers can only propose a maximum extension worth $89.2 million over four years, with the first-year salary capped at $19.9 million—140% of the average NBA salary.
Reaves, who holds a $14.9 million player option for the 2026–27 season, is expected to decline that option to pursue a new long-term contract either with the Lakers or another team.
The 27-year-old guard has posted a career-best season in 2024–25, averaging 20.2 points, 5.8 assists, and 4.5 rebounds per game while shooting 37.7% from three.
During the regular season, Reaves passed Kobe Bryant for the second-most three-point field goals in a single season in franchise history.
He became the sixth Laker to ever post at least 45 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists in a single game, joining a list that includes LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
Marks noted that Reaves’ emergence as a high-level scorer and playmaker makes it likely that he will command more than what the Lakers can offer under the current extension rules.
The Lakers originally signed Reaves to a four-year, $53.8 million deal using Early Bird rights during the 2023 offseason, a move that gave the franchise short-term flexibility but now limits its negotiating power.
Unless the collective bargaining agreement is adjusted or Reaves decides to accept less than market value, Los Angeles risks losing him for nothing in free agency.
Reaves has started every game for the Lakers this season and played a key role in helping the team secure a third-place finish in the Western Conference.
The Lakers were eliminated in the first round by the Timberwolves, but Reaves continued to average 16.2 points and 5.4 rebounds over five playoff games.
