ESPN Predicts Massive Free Agency Deal For Lakers Star Austin Reaves

Austin Reaves has become a vital part of the Los Angeles Lakers organization in the past few years, and now, the time is coming for the young guard to get paid. At 27-years of age, the former un-drafted guard has been highly productive alongside LeBron James in that time, tallying career highs of 20 points, 6 assists and 4 rebounds a season ago.

Now, with Luka Doncic taking over as the leader and the face of the franchise, the team have a massive decision to make on Reaves, who becomes a free agent after the 2025/26 campaign. According to a report from ESPN, there's executives out there that could see the talented guard get paid in a big way, with predictions that Reaves could make more than $30 million per season on his next contract.

"‘I think he will get $30 [million] plus,’ one executive told ESPN, echoing multiple front office sources who were asked about the next deal Reaves could command. The expectation, from both that executive and others, is that Reaves ultimately will return to Los Angeles, which would cement Reaves' role as the long-term running mate next to Doncic in L.A.'s backcourt -- the role once held by Brunson then Irving in Dallas."

If Reaves continues his output from 2024/25, that could be a fairly solid deal, as he shot 46% from the field and 38% from beyond the arc, and with Doncic needing talent around him, Reaves is the perfect running mate. Only time will tell whether the deal gets signed with the Lakers or the team decide to move on from the 27-year old, but wherever it is, it appears he's about to get paid like an elite level player in the NBA.