Sadness in : The Austin Reaves era in LA could be coming to a bitter end.

 

AR15 went from undrafted to unreal, rapidly becoming a pivotal player for the Los Angeles Lakers. But the situation with his contract has become…complex.

 

Set to become eligible for a contract extension next offseason, Reaves can be offered a maximum of $. ($20.8M/year) under the current CBA. Given his impact and production, that figure likely him. 

 

At 26, Reaves may choose to decline the extension and test free agency in 2026, where he could command a much larger deal—potentially a max contract worth up to $. .

 

The Lakers are in a bind. Reaves has game, no doubt—but with the front office locked in on adding size, defensive grit, and wing depth, he could become trade bait rather than a building block. 

 

If his contract demands start squeezing their cap space, sentiment won’t save him.

 

Trade chatter’s already bubbling, with Reaves’ name thrown around in wild packages—even ones involving Giannis Antetokounmpo. 

 

Here’s a trade proposed by Yahoo Sports’ Eddie Bitar:

 

 Lakers Receive: Giannis Antetokounmpo 

Milwaukee Bucks Receive: Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, Jarred Vanderbilt, Dalton Knecht, 2031 First-Round Pick, 2026 First-Round Pick Swap

 

That’s not just noise—it’s a sign. The Lakers aren’t playing favorites; they’re playing for titles. 

 

And if Reaves doesn’t fit the blueprint, he might be the next piece to move.