With LeBron James opting in rather than negotiating an extension beyond this coming season, there could be a distinct changing of the guard in the City of Angels sooner rather than later. That is one reason why the chase for an NBA title is so important.
Another reason is more related to the future of the franchise. If LeBron were to leave next summer, there is no doubt that Luka Doncic is the future of this organization. If the extension he recently signed didn't signify that, then the front office's approach to catering to Doncic and building around his strengths as a player only reinforces that line of thinking.
That brings us to none other than Austin Reaves. The Los Angeles Lakers starter declined the extension offer made by the Lakers earlier this summer, giving him the ability to test restricted free agency during the summer of 2026. Now, according to Kurt Helin of NBC Sports, we have an idea of the type of contract Reaves will demand.
Austin Reaves reportedly wants a contract worth the same as Tyler Herro’s, per @basketballtalk
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) August 13, 2025
“Reaves will be a free agent. There is zero chance he is picking up his $14.9 million player option, even if he plans to stay with the Lakers. Reaves reportedly wants to be paid in… pic.twitter.com/MVEM8Tlklw
Lakers Guard Austin Reaves Looking For Similar Contract as Tyler Herro
"Reaves will be a free agent," Helin wrote. "There is zero chance he is picking up his $14.9 million player option, even if he plans to stay with the Lakers. Reaves reportedly wants to be paid in the Tyler Herro range of $30 million a year."
This is not the first time we have seen sourced reporting suggesting that Reaves is looking for a new contract with an average annual value in the $30 million range. Helin's report goes on to address the line of thinking coming from Rob Pelinka and the front office, as the franchise would be willing to negotiate around that range if Reaves raises his game from what fans saw during the Lakers' short 2024 postseason run.
In short, Reaves must improve his game when the stakes are raised. If he does not help this team improve upon the run they made last year, there is very little motivation for the front office to reward him with as lucrative a contract as Herro received from the Miami Heat.
After seeing his regular season averages dip in several key areas during the playoffs, this is a "prove it" season for the former Oklahoma Sooners star. You make your money in the postseason as an NBA player.
If Reaves does not improve significantly from what he showed this past season, where he was a 41% shooter from the field, a 31% shooter from beyond the arc, and a player who averaged 3.6 assists and 2.8 turnovers per contest. Why would Los Angeles pay him big money to be part of the puzzle without LeBron James on the floor alongside him?
The simple answer is the front office wouldn't do it, and, quite frankly, they shouldn't do it unless real progression is seen from Reaves. Having a player as talented as LeBron as a teammate helps cover up things that would otherwise not go unnoticed. Once he is gone, Doncic alone won't be enough to carry the Lakers where they want to go if Reaves is a $30 million per year weight dragging behind them.
On the other hand, Reaves has nothing to worry about if he can raise his game to the level it is expected to be night in and night out.
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