Copyright sportskeeda
LA Lakers guard Austin Reaves continues to sizzle without LeBron James and Luka Doncic. While LA’s superstars are out with injuries, the former undrafted player from Wichita State and Oklahoma has been on a tear. After averaging 46.0 points in his last two games, Reaves put up 18 points and nine assists in the first half against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday.AR’s latest blistering show prompted Kevin Garnett, who won the 2008 NBA championship with the Boston Celtics, to tweet:“Shidddd…. Idk, Austin Reaves might be auditioning for a number 1 spot somewhere in his mind. Check the history without Luka and Bron. Let’s see…”KG’s comments might be spot on. In three games without Doncic and James, Reaves averaged 44.3 points, 9.7 assists and 8.7 rebounds per outing. Despite the double and triple teams the two superstars left, Reaves has thrived as the Lakers’ No. 1 option.Austin Reaves is on the Lakers’ payroll this season for $13.9 million, one of the best contracts in the NBA. According to Spotrac, Reaves already turned down a four-year, $89 million extension that the Lakers offered in late June.Kevin Garnett is speculating that the 6-foot-5 guard could move out of the shadows of LeBron James and Luka Doncic starting next season.Austin Reaves can get a max deal by going free agency route, per SpotracThe LA Lakers were expected to offer the four-year, $89 million extension to Austin Reaves. Unsurprisingly, the blossoming star turned down the deal. According to Keith Smith of Spotrac, Reaves can get more via free agency.Based on Smith’s calculations, Reaves should stay with the Lakers to get the most money in free agency. Rob Pelinka could offer him around $240.7 million for five years. If he signs with any other team, the most Reaves could get would be roughly $178.4 million for four years.Staying in LA, though, would mean playing second fiddle to Luka Doncic. Should LeBron James play at least one more year with the Lakers, Reaves likely remains as the third option.Keith Smith sees a scenario where Austin Reaves could take his talents elsewhere:“The good news for Reaves is that somewhere between six and 10 teams project to have cap space in the summer of 2026. That group includes the Lakers, but also crosstown rivals, the LA Clippers. Of teams further down the contention pecking order, the Washington Wizards, Utah Jazz, Brooklyn Nets and Chicago Bulls all project to have significant cap space.”Only time will tell if Reaves remains a Laker after the 2025-26 NBA season.
