Austin Reaves will have a decision to make about his future with the Los Angeles Lakers after the season is finished.
Reaves is having the best year of his NBA career, averaging almost 30 points and seven assists per game.
The shooting guard has actually been the LA Lakers’ second option, ahead of LeBron James.
That can only be a good thing for him, but it will make his contract negotiations with the Lakers awkward next summer.
Gilbert Arenas has shared why Reaves needs to think carefully about his NBA future when the opportunity to leave arises.
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Gilbert Arenas raises Austin Reaves contract concern
Austin Reaves is arguably the most underpaid player in the NBA, earning less than $14 million this season.
That’s less than Lakers teammate Rui Hachimura ($17m) and only slightly more than Jarred Vanderbilt ($12m), Gabe Vincent ($11m), and Maxi Kleber ($11m).
Reaves has a player option for $15m next season, but he will undoubtedly turn that down and demand a long-term deal worth upwards of $200m.
Other NBA teams may be willing to pay him more than the Lakers, so he must also decide how much he values playing in purple and gold.
Do the LA Lakers have the best backcourt in the NBA?
Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves are the 4th duo in 50 years to each record 30+ points in 3 straight games!
How far can this duo take the Lakers?
- Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves (Lakers, 2025)
- Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard (Bucks, 2023)
- Monta Ellis and Corey Maggette (Warriors, 2010)
- George Gervin and Mike Mitchell (Spurs, 1984)
Gilbert Arenas believes that this should be high on Reaves’ priorities, as he will not be allowed the same freedom elsewhere.
He explained on The Gilbert Arenas Show: “What I’m thinking about is: we see how Austin Reaves plays, and we know the money he’s demanding. The question is: who’s going to pay him to play the style he’s playing?
“That might be the only issue with Austin Reaves this summer. I think he’s going to have to be careful, as great as he’s playing.
“I don’t think 20 to 30 is going to make a big difference. It’s about the team if he leaves the Lakers. If he stays, he’s going to be able to play this style because this is his team that he’s doing it on.
“If he leaves and asks for $200 [million], I don’t know how many teams would pay it, and where he still gets to play this way. Even if he makes All-NBA, I don’t know what team.
“Think about your favorite teams. Where is he going to go and get to shoot the shots he shoots? He might be one of the top five wildest shooters in the NBA.”
Austin Reaves should stay on LA Lakers with Luka Doncic
Nobody could blame Reaves for leaving the Lakers if a bigger contract was available elsewhere, but it could be a mistake from a basketball perspective.
Reaves is the fifth-highest scorer in the NBA this season, and deserves to be considered for All-NBA teams, but nobody considers him a top 10 player in the league.
That’s because people recognize that the 27-year-old is benefiting from playing alongside Luka Doncic, and, to a lesser extent, LeBron James.
Is Austin Reaves a reliable No. 2 option?
Austin Reaves’ performances this season have been INSANE! He is averaging more in his fifth season in the NBA than Kobe Bryant did!
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The two superstars generate so much attention from the opposition that Reaves has more space than he would be allowed in another situation.
If he signed for the Brooklyn Nets, for example, he would immediately be the first name on every other team’s scouting report.
This would make it harder than ever to score 30 points every night, so perhaps it would be wise to stay with Doncic in LA.
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