The Los Angeles Lakers have dealt with multiple injuries to start the year, most importantly to LeBron James and Luka Doncic. James has yet to play a game, while Doncic has been sidelined over the past week.
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In favor of both players out, youngster Austin Reaves has had an opportunity to get the bulk of touches on the offensive side of the basketball for Los Angeles.
Not only has Reaves gotten the opportunity to get those touches, but there’s a strong argument to be made that he’s been one of the better players in the NBA since doing so.
Reaves continues to show that he can score with the best of them in the NBA, and with an upcoming contract decision, it’ll be intriguing to see how much he could get.
When examining what that number might be, Bleacher Report’s Dan Favale linked him to a potential deal worth $240.7 million over five years.
“Reaves holds a $14.9 million player option for the 2026-27 season. Spoiler alert: He’s going to decline it.
“Don’t bother holding out hope for opt in-and-extend scenarios, either. The Lakers would be capped at offering an additional four seasons and $93.4 million on top of his option. A total commitment of five years and just over $108 million is no longer inside Reaves’ ballpark… Five-year max from the Lakers: $240.7 million,” he wrote.
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Another huge deal for the Lakers wouldn’t be ideal due to their current cap situation, but it would also be unfair to suggest that he doesn’t clearly deserve it.
With James possibly retiring in the near future, too, it might not be the worst idea to give Reaves the money he’s looking for eventually.
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