The Los Angeles Lakers announced that they have signed sixth-year guard Austin Reaves. While the terms of the deal were not disclosed, it is reported to be a four-year contract worth $185 million with a player option in the final season, which is the max money he could sign for.
“Austin’s relentless pursuit of improvement, fierce competitiveness and commitment to winning have made him an integral part of our organization,” said Los Angeles Lakers President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Rob Pelinka. “From the moment he joined the Lakers, Austin has embodied the work ethic and selfless approach that define our culture. We’re thrilled to continue building with him as a cornerstone of our team as we pursue our championship goals.”
Reaves opted out of the final year of his deal with the Lakers to become an unrestricted free agent. The goal on both sides was always to come to a long-term agreement at a significantly higher salary, after Reaves proved himself to be Luka Doncic’s ideal right-hand man during the 2025-26 season.
The undrafted guard out of Wichita State and Oklahoma has improved dramatically each year of his career, culminating in a 2025-26 campaign that saw him average 23.3 points, 4.7 rebounds and 5.5 assists per game on 49.0% from the field and 36.0% from three. He played in 51 regular season games, starting in 45 of them.
Reaves now goes from a mid-level contract player to a max contract player, and is the clear No. 2 behind Doncic heading into the team’s new era.
With LeBron James departing in free agency, Reaves is now the longest-tenured member of the Purple and Gold.
Austin Reaves motivated to win championship alongside Luka Doncic
Now that all the negotiating is done and Reaves is tied to the Lakers for at least the next three years, it’s time to focus on what the duo of Reaves and Doncic can accomplish together. Reaves has openly stated that his main goal is to win a title with the Lakers alongside Doncic.
“It’s going to be fun. And like I said, winning a championship is the main goal,” Reaves said. “And I feel like, you know, with me and Luka, that’s a great starting piece to compete. And when we put a roster together that can go compete, I feel like winning a championship will basically solidify everything that I want and everything that the Lakers want.
“And it kind of meets the common goal of why they gave me the money they did.”
The Lakers have now put together the outline of the roster that they believe can accomplish that goal alongside their star duo, including defensive stalwart Walker Kessler, stretch big man Sandro Mamukelashvili, two-way guard/forward Quentin Grimes and hot-shooting backup point guard Collin Sexton.
The Lakers may not be done making moves, but with Reaves, Kessler, Mamukelashvili and Grimes on four-year deals, the core of their team is firmly in place for the foreseeable future.
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