Austin Reaves’ contract negotiations with the Lakers reportedly changed dramatically in the final stages before free agency, as Los Angeles significantly increased its offer to keep the standout guard.
According to Brian Windhorst, the Lakers were initially offering Reaves a deal worth roughly $30 million annually before raising it to more than $45 million per season after rival interest intensified.
“Austin Reaves, from what I understand, two days ago was somewhere around $30 million per year in his offer from the Lakers,” said Windhorst on First Take.
“A very good contract. A far cry from what they offered him yesterday. What they offered him yesterday and he agreed to was more than $45 million per year. That’s a 50 percent increase in like 24 hours.”
Windhorst said the change was driven by leverage, as several teams were preparing to pursue Reaves, with Detroit viewed as the biggest threat after creating additional cap space.
“Why? Leverage. Because the Detroit Pistons were lining it up. You saw last night they made to move off Isaiah Stewart. That cleared salary cap space.”
The negotiations ultimately ended with Reaves agreeing to a four-year, $185 million contract, which will pay him $41.3 million in the first season of the deal.
Lakers Improved Offer To Austin Reaves From $30M Per Year To $46M With Pistons In Pursuit https://t.co/wMQkW1llvQ
— RealGM (@RealGM) June 25, 2026
