Lakers Insider Provides Insight Into Austin Reaves' Future Plans

Mar 22, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15) moves the ball against the Chicago Bulls during the first half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images | Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images

The Los Angeles Lakers had a stellar offseason all things considered. They lost only one player via free agency and gained three players, two of whom were from the buyout market.

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The Lakers also locked up their superstar guard Luka Doncic for the foreseeable future. Doncic signed a three-year, $165 million contract earlier this month, and the likelihood of him staying in Los Angeles is significant.

LA took care of business this offseason, and next offseason will be just as massive. The Lakers will have a ton on their plate as they usually do, but at the forefront will be their star guard, Austin Reaves.

Reaves declined a four-year, $89.2 million contract extension with the team. That now means the 27-year-old will be an unrestricted free agent as he is taking a massive gamble on himself.

While Reaves will have options next summer, it appears that he knows where he wants to play for the rest of his career.

According to Lakers insider Jovan Buha, Reaves wants to spend the rest of his career in LA.

"People around the league are penciling him in to make $30-plus million this summer, whether it's with the Lakers or someone else," Buha reported on Spectrum SportsNet. "I expect it to be with the Lakers. I expect him to re-sign on a multiyear deal. He wants to be a Laker for life."

Jovan on Austin Reaves:

"People around the league are penciling him in to make $30+ million this summer whether it's with the Lakers or someone else. I expect it to be with the Lakers...he wants to be a Laker for life" pic.twitter.com/5WBfgkg3YI

— Oh No He Didn't (@ohnohedidnt24) August 15, 2025

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Reaves went undrafted in the 2021 NBA Draft and signed a deal with the Lakers that summer. It was a move that didn't send shockwaves initially, but Reaves quickly proved that he could be a solid player in the league.

Fast forward four years later, and Reaves has established himself as arguably a top 30 player in he league.

The former Oklahoma Sooner is coming off his best year of his career. Reaves will look for an even better season come this fall, and will also lead the purple and gold to their first title since 2020.

The Lakers arguably have one of the best trios led by Luka Doncic and LeBron James. Reaves may be the third-best player, but he has shown that he could be a top player for any other franchise.

Reaves wants to be in Los Angeles for the rest of his career, and it appears the Lakers feel the same way.

For more news and notes on the Los Angeles Lakers, visit Los Angeles Lakers on SI.