Signing Austin Reaves Over LeBron James is Lakers’ No.1 Priority

LeBron James just showed the NBA world that he can still compete and play at an elite level after his record-breaking 23rd season in the league. He impressed everyone this year with his performances in the playoffs as led the Los Angeles Lakers to the Western Conference Semifinals.

While James continued to dazzle everyone at this stage of his career, Austin Reaves‘ rise this season was the biggest talking point of the team. The former undrafted player caught everyone by surprise with his growth in the 2025-26 campaign.

According to NBA reporter covering the Lakers, Jovan Buha, believes that the Lakers will prioritize in keeping the young star over James in the offseason.

If it comes down to whether you’d rather pay Austin $40 million per year for the next five years or LeBron $40 million for one year, they’re going to prioritize the long-term contract. Austin is more of a priority for the Lakers than LeBron. That’s just a fact.

Jovan Buha via Buha’s Block podcast

The Lakers will prioritize re-signing Austin Reaves over LeBron James, per @jovanbuha

“If it comes down to whether you’d rather pay Austin $40 million per year for the next five years or LeBron $40 million for one year, they’re going to prioritize the long-term contract. Austin… pic.twitter.com/6zy1Wp1jsG

— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) May 31, 2026

With LeBron James‘ contract with the Lakers coming to an end in the offseason, rumors about his exit are getting stronger with every passing day. While he remains undecided when it comes to his future, Lakers President Rob Pelinka revealed that the team would like the four-time champion to stay with them this summer.

However, along with James, even Austin Reaves will be a free agent this summer. The young guard is expected to opt out of his contract and could cost the Lakers $40 million a year to retain. Even Luka Doncic has made it clear that he would like Reaves to stay with the Lakers. Meanwhile, James will likely be extending his contract only for one more year.

Fans react to Lakers prioritizing Austin Reaves over LeBron James

Austin Reaves is currently in the prime of his career, while LeBron James is at the backend of his career. Reaves has also shown that he could form a formidable partnership with Doncic as the two guards were arguably the best offensive backcourt duo earlier in the season.

Fans were quick to react to the news about the Lakers looking to place a greater emphasis on securing Reaves’ future.

It’s fine, LeGM will get his money wherever he goes anyways

— Mia (@Miahelmine) June 1, 2026

Ridiculous unless it’s to trade him

— Just Yappin (@Yappin_Sports) May 31, 2026

That's crazy. Lakers picking Reaves long-term deal over LeBron's? Wild times.

— HoopsTake (@javed273110) June 1, 2026

I’d say smart move but I also don’t think Austin Reaves is worth $40M/year

— Final Buzzer Sports (@FinalBuzzerHQ) May 31, 2026

going for long term stability over lebron is crazy to even think about, lakers really shifting directions

— Lottie (@irl_charlottex) June 1, 2026

People really think paying bron vet minimum and still expect him to produce big numbers coz he bron. 🤣🤣

— D'Angelo Russell (@Dloadiinggg) June 1, 2026

Y’all might not like it but the smart thing to do is prioritize Austin Reaves, LeBron is still the goat but the have to focus on long term goals

— The Positive feed (@PositiviveFeed_) May 31, 2026

Prioritizing Austin Reaves over LEBRON JAMES is a generational level of losing your mind. I don’t care about long-term versus short-term, this is pure insanity from the Lakers front office if true. 💀😭

— 𝔽X✞𝕂𝔸𝕃𝕌𝔹𝕀𝔾 (@suaciovt) May 31, 2026

Lebron outperformed him in the playoffs. I get the age thing but with LeBron and Luka you have more of chance winning now

— umehta24 (@umangmehta248) June 1, 2026

Some fans understood the Lakers looking into their long term future by prioritizing Reaves. However, some believe that James showed during the playoffs that he can still be a difference maker whenever he plays.

Austin Reaves is coming off his career-best campaign

The 2025-26 campaign has been a huge turning point in Austin Reaves’ career. While the Lakers is Doncic’s team, Reaves emerged as the second option for the majority of the season, ahead of even LeBron James.

Till his injury in December, Reaves was a top-10 candidate for MVP. In the absence of Doncic and James, Reaves scored a career-high 51 points against the Sacramento Kings. He had a career-high in terms of scoring as he averaged 23.3 points, 4.7 rebounds and 5.5 assists in 51 appearances this season.

It is highly likely that the Lakers will give Reaves the contract extension, especially when their star player wants him to stay. It remains to be seen what the future holds for LeBron James as multiple teams have shown interest in signing him.

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