Lakers to Potentially Offer Austin Reaves $89 Million Extension Does Not Sit Well with Fans – “After How He Performed in the Playoffs?”

Austin Reaves has a player option coming up ahead of 2026-27 season, which could determine his future with the Los Angeles Lakers.

Lakers to Potentially Offer Austin Reaves $89 Million Extension Does Not Sit Well with Fans – “After How He Performed in the Playoffs?”

Austin Reaves' upcoming contract situation is a headache for the Lakers (Image via FirstSportz)

The Los Angeles Lakers did not end this season the way they expected to. They streaked to third place in the West behind the stellar contributions of LeBron James, Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, and the rest. Then to get bolted out of the first round was both disappointing as well as embarrassing.

Basketball fans and analysts knew the Lakers had some roster deficiencies throughout the regular season. Even their last-ditch attempt to bring in a young athletic and physical big man at the trade deadline did not work out.

In the playoffs, the Minnesota Timberwolves proved that the Lakers had more problems than just the lack of a good big man. Those deficiencies saw the men in purple and gold huff and puff throughout the series. Then their rookie head coach added to their woes by playing the starters excessive minutes.

Once the series was over, news started to emanate that LeBron James had suffered a knee injury in game 5. It was also revealed that Austin Reaves was struggling with a left big toe sprain. That probably had an impact on his performances, as he suffered a major dip in his statistics.

Now, the Lakers head into the offseason with a lot of question marks concerning their roster. LeBron James might choose to take a lower salary, but even then, it will not help them land that additional superstar.

On top of that, they are aware that they will need to give Reaves an extension. Considering how he performed in the regular season, the Lakers can offer him a 4-year, $89.2 million extension. But there may be a situation where he can decline that offer, his player option for the 2026-27 season, and look to earn more on a different team.

Fans shake their heads, learning Austin Reaves can land $89 million contract

The problem Los Angeles Lakers fans have with this possibility is that they saw how Austin Reaves struggled in the playoffs. He went from averaging 20.2 points in the regular season to 16.2 in the playoffs. On top of that, his defense leaves a lot to be desired.

Basketball fans believe the guard is not worth the $89 million contract offer the Lakers might have in store for him. They have not seen his worth in the playoffs yet and hope the franchise waits until they see Reaves’ magic in the playoffs before handing him that contract. Check out examples of those suggestions below.

Austin Reaves might be a good player on any team. But there is a reason why he was projected as a second-round prospect in the 2021 draft. His movie-esque story of coming from an undrafted player to become a solid third option for the Lakers is all good for marketing. But the Lakers know there is no better marketing tool than winning championships.

Luka Doncic’s performances alongside Reaves might impact the latter’s future

When the Los Angeles Lakers brought in Luka Doncic, the idea was to hand him the reins of the franchise for the next decade. He is a 5-time All-NBA 1st teamer, and dragged the Dallas Mavericks to the NBA Finals last season.

How Austin Reaves performs with Luka Doncic will determine his future with the Lakers
How Austin Reaves performs with Luka Doncic will determine his future with the Lakers (Image via NBA/X)

When Doncic arrived, it was not his team. Rather, it was LeBron James’, and most of the personnel schemes were tuned around him and former championship-winning superstar Anthony Davis. Now, they have to start building a team around the Slovenian.

James has accepted a free safety role. But Reaves is still a ball-dominant guard who still needs to improve his consistency. If Doncic does not play well with Reaves beside him, it might impact the latter’s future with the team.

No. 77 is ball dominant, scores at will, and is a masterful playmaker. He needs players around him who can negate the lack of athleticism, defense, and physicality. The Mavericks built a team for him. Now, the Lakers have to do the same, and with Austin Reaves’ lack of defense or physicality, it might lead the team to trade him down the line.

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