Austin Reaves Securing Record $185 Million Undrafted Payday Draws Applause – “Salute That Boy”

Austin Reaves was expected to earn a massive raise after his impressive performances for the Lakers in the 2025-26 season.

Austin Reaves Securing Record $185 Million Undrafted Payday Draws Applause – “Salute That Boy”

Austin Reaves becomes highest-paid undrafted player (Image via FirstSportz)

Heading into this offseason, there was no doubt that the Los Angeles Lakers had to decide what to do with guard Austin Reaves‘ contract.

Sure, they gave enough indications that they wanted him back. After all, his growth from an undrafted bench player to becoming one of the most important pieces on the floor was there for all to see.

The Arkansas native has had the luxury of learning under LeBron James and, recently, working with Luka Doncic. But there are countless examples of players who have not taken advantage of those opportunities.

In fact, when he proved time and again that he can be the leading superstar if needed, some felt the 28-year-old deserved the most amount of money anyone can earn.

Now, the franchise has done what they felt Austin Reaves deserved. ESPN’s Shams Charania revealed that the guard intends to sign a four-year, $185 million contract.

The organization will also give him a player option in the 2029-30 season, the final year of his new deal. That will make him the second-highest paid player on the roster, since LeBron James is still unsigned.

He may not have earned the highest-paying salary in the league, but $46.25 million is a lot for an undrafted player. Moreover, his decision to bet on himself worked out well, as he was earning around one-third of that last season.

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Fans praise Austin Reaves for earning himself a deserved raise

The Lakers might have to do a lot to create a roster with which they can hold a candle to the best in the league, but fans were ecstatic after they handed Austin Reaves what will be the richest contract for an undrafted player in NBA history.

Minnesota Timberwolves forward Naz Reid held the previous best deal. But fans felt Reaves had proved that working hard and taking a chance on oneself can pay off. Fans filled the comments section with praise, examples of which are below.

Austin Reaves will have to live up to this deal. After all, the Oklahoma alum is now officially part of the max contract brigade. But from whatever proof that has been on the table so far, the Lakers are sure he is worth it.

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Detroit Pistons going after Austin Reaves justifies Lakers’ deal

The Los Angeles Lakers have just made moves in the Draft, and were expected to first fix the roster before making a major decision on Austin Reaves and LeBron James. That is why this deal surprised Iman Shumpert.

Lakers stars Austin Reaves and LeBron James
Lakers stars Austin Reaves and LeBron James (Image via Maso/X)

I thought it was odd that you give that much money to sign a guy that you was having issues defensively. … I do now understand it, now that you’ve let me know that Detroit was gonna knock at his door… I understand their move as in ‘let’s keep our guy.’

Iman Shumpert said on NBA Today

The ESPN analyst understands that the Detroit Pistons’ pushing to sign Reaves led to this decision, as it is better to conclude business early, rather than leave it to chance.

But he also pointed out that now the Lakers have to work on bringing back LeBron James, who did not reveal to Shumpert and his fellow former Cavaliers teammates about his future.

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