In case it wasn’t already obvious, it’s now clear why Austin Reaves turned down the Lakers’ four-year, $89.2 million extension this past offseason.
Reaves was already off to a phenomenal start this season with 50 points, 20 assists, 12 rebounds and a trio of three-pointers across his first two games. But with both Luka Dončić and LeBron James sidelined on Sunday night against the Sacramento Kings, Reaves turned in a tour de force. He poured in a career-high 51 points on 12-of-22 shooting (including
6-of-10 from deep), attempted a career-high 22 free throws and chipped in 11 rebounds, nine assists and two steals in the Lakers’ 127-120 victory.
Dončić is set to miss at least one week with a left finger sprain and lower left leg contusion, while James isn’t likely to return until early to mid-November due to sciatica on his right side (aka, DNP-Old). In other words, Reaves is set to continue cooking for the next few games at least.
He might find the sledding tougher Monday against the Portland Trail Blazers, who figure to hound him with Jrue Holiday and Toumani Camara. That’s a far more challenging assignment than roasting Zach LaVine, Dennis Schröder and Russell Westbrook. But if he continues to thrive in this run as a No. 1 option — or a No. 2 upon Dončić’s return — it could open eyes around the league ahead of his foray into free agency next offseason.
Dončić unintentionally did Reaves a solid this past offseason by agreeing to a three-year max extension with the Lakers. By taking himself off the free-agent market in 2026, he’s now forcing other teams to come up with alternative plans for their cap space. The same goes for De’Aaron Fox, Jaren Jackson Jr., Paolo Banchero, Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren, Keegan Murray and Jabari Smith Jr., among others.
A handful of notable 2022 first-round picks did not reach extensions with their respective teams by the Oct. 20 deadline, including Jaden Ivey, Jalen Duren, Mark Williams, Tary Eason and #FutureLaker Walker Kessler. Trae Young appears increasingly likely to headline the 2026 free-agent market unless he and the Hawks reach a new deal between now and June 30. But the 2026 free-agent class has otherwise become increasingly barren in recent months. The likes of Kristaps Porziņģis, Tobias Harris, John Collins and Anfernee Simons might be among the best available unrestricted free agents outside of Reaves and LeBron.
Unlike this past offseason, when the Brooklyn Nets were the only team with significant cap space, a number of teams currently project to have real spending power next offseason. Plenty could change between now and then — rebuilding teams might look to flip expiring contracts for longer-term deals if they can pick up additional assets — but some teams might also remain protective of their cap space with Reaves or another free agent in mind.
This stretch without LeBron could be eye-opening for the Lakers as well. If Reaves can keep them afloat sans Luka, that might make them more willing to pony up next summer. Even if he can’t, the opportunities he gets alongside Luka without LeBron will be valuable information for the Lakers to process as they look ahead to their post-LeBron future.
Reaves is set to have a well-below-market cap hold next summer, which the Lakers could use to their advantage. They’re allowed to begin negotiating with him once the 2026 NBA Finals end, but they can wait to put pen to paper until after free agency begins. If LeBron leaves or retires, they could have upward of $60 million in cap space next summer (including Reaves’ cap hold). In an ideal world, they’d spend that money first, then re-sign Reaves using his Bird rights, even though they’re already over the cap.
Granted, that would require Reaves’ buy-in. Since he’s an unrestricted free agent, he could blow up that plan by signing with another team, and the Lakers wouldn’t even have the chance to match. If they lowball him during their exclusive negotiating window, they’ll be playing with fire. But if they reach a deal before free agency begins, it could set them up for a quick pivot into Life After LeBron.
The good news is that Reaves has repeatedly said he wants to remain in Los Angeles even after turning down the extension this summer. So long as the Lakers don’t lowball him, he could be willing to play ball with them and help the Lakers build a contender.
If Reaves keeps playing the way he has over the first week of the 2025-26 season, that price tag will only go higher and higher. He’d have LeBron and Luka to thank in part for his nine-figure payday next summer.
Unless otherwise noted, all stats via NBA.com, PBPStats, Cleaning the Glass or Basketball Reference. All salary information via Salary Swish and salary-cap information via RealGM.
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