Lakers Could Still Have Major Cap Space Next Summer Even After Paying Austin Reaves

Nov 10, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15) brings the ball up the court during the second quarter against the Charlotte Hornets at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Brian Westerholt-Imagn Images | Brian Westerholt-Imagn Images

It's no secret that Austin Reaves has been a vital part of the Lakers' hot start to the 2025-26 season.

The fifth-year guard is showing signs of having a career season, averaging a career-high 30.3 points, 5.1 rebounds and 9 assists per game. In the Lakers' three games without both Luka Doncic and LeBron James, Reaves answered the call, leading the Lakers to a 2-1 record in that stretch.

The 27-year-old showed that he can will a team to victory with his 51-point performance in the Lakers' road win against the Sacramento Kings.

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Reaves couldn't be doing all of this at a better time.

After rejecting the Lakers' four-year, $89 million contract extension offer — a formality, as general manager Rob Pelinka and the Lakers never expected Reaves to accept — Reaves is setting himself up to earn a much larger contract after this season's conclusion.

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This summer, the Lakers will be able to offer Reaves a five-year, $241 million deal according to ESPN's Dave McMenamin.

Reaves has said he would be open to taking less money if it meant he could stay on a Lakers team that is built to contend for its first NBA title since the 2020 season.

'I Want to Be in LA'

"I've said it a million times. I want to be in L.A. I love it," Reaves told McMenamin. "Even though the other extension was turned down, that doesn't mean that I'm trying to go get a f---ing gigantic number that don't make sense. I want to be here, I want to win. I want to do everything that can help this organization be better. So I don't try to think about those things."

The good news for both Reaves and the Lakers is that signing Reaves to a maximum contract and having cap space for other free agent signings isn't necessarily mutually exclusive.

ESPN's Bobby Marks reported Monday that the Lakers could still have nearly $50 million in cap space even if Reaves signs for his maximum contract.

Reaves is expected to decline his player option — a four-year, $87.4 million contract — and become a restricted free agent. But don't be surprised if the Arkansas native finds his way back to Los Angeles for years to come.

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