The year 2026 could be a turning point for the Los Angeles Lakers. When Luka Doncic arrived in early 2025, it looked like a blessing for the franchise. But his addition has also triggered a wave of departures – starting with LeBron James and potentially continuing with Austin Reaves.
Doncic joined the Lakers with a dual mission: team up with “King” James in the present and become the face of the franchise’s future. To make it happen, the Lakers offered him the best deal he was willing to take – a three-year, $160.8 million contract.
From the moment he was traded from the Dallas Mavericks, it was clear Doncic was in L.A. for the long haul. That stability influenced James’s decision to pick up his player option for this season – and, according to analyst Matt Barnes, it could also push Reaves to decline his 2026 option.
The Lakers may not be able to keep Reaves
Speaking on the Big Shot Bob Podcast, Barnes said, “One person I’m a big fan of – and I know he’s going to try to hit the open market because he’ll get a lot more – is Austin Reaves.”
Reaves’s current deal is worth $53.8 million over three years, a number that could rise significantly if he tests free agency. “I feel like he can get a lot of money somewhere else – probably not on a winning-type team, but north of $160, $180 [million],” Barnes explained.
A standard four-year, $180 million deal would pay Reaves $45 million per year – more than triple his annual salary with the Lakers. While he’s not considered an elite player, some analysts believe a team willing to give him a bigger role could unlock his full potential.
What are Reaves chances?
The Lakers would have the right to negotiate with Reaves first, but Doncic’s massive contract already limits their flexibility. If they also want to keep LeBron, the payroll for the coming seasons could become a cap-space nightmare.
If they can’t convince Reaves to stay, tough choices lie ahead. “They’ve refused to move him in the past, but I think they’re on the clock now,” Barnes warned. “Understanding what’s at stake, I’d be surprised if he finishes this season as a Laker.”
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