Austin Reaves has solidified himself as an essential piece of the Los Angeles Lakers’ championship aspirations. Rob Pelinka expressed confidence in Reaves’ ability to thrive alongside two of the greatest players of all-time in LeBron James and Luka Doncic.
“My theory is basketball geniuses that love to win, find ways to work and click together,” Pelinka told ESPN. “And we knew LeBron was a basketball savant, wants to win at the highest level. Obviously Luka Doncic, basketball savant, wants to win at the highest level. And AR is coming into his own there. He gets the game, he sees it. He can fit, really, with anybody.”
The undrafted guard has exceeded all expectations, particularly during a recent five-game stretch where he scored 30+ points four times and set a franchise record with 15 three-pointers across two consecutive games.
One Western Conference executive told ESPN, “He’s the best undrafted player since Ben Wallace, and that guy’s a Hall of Famer.”
Doncic’s arrival has created a favorable environment for Reaves, as opponents now assign their strongest defenders elsewhere. This has allowed Reaves to become more assertive offensively, averaging a career-high 3.1 isolation plays per game this season, a figure that has jumped to 4.5 isolation plays per game since Doncic joined the team.
“I just want to win and I feel like anytime I’m on the court versus off the court, I have a belief I literally can change the game,” said Reaves.
Reaves’ current four-year, $54 million contract has become one of the NBA’s best value deals. He is eligible for a four-year, $89.2 million extension this summer, which would replace his $14.9 million option year in 2026-27. Alternatively, he could wait until 2026 for a potential four-year, $98 million extension, or become an unrestricted free agent eligible for 25 percent of the 26-27 salary cap.
Lakers ownership has made their intentions clear regarding Reaves’ future with the organization.
“The way he plays the game, fights for every ball, sacrifices his body, when you see somebody like that, you can’t help but get drawn in and cheer for them,” Lakers governor Jeanie Buss told ESPN. “And he was that from day one… he just keeps proving himself over and over and over again…. We’re just lucky to have him.”
