The Lakers’ offseason just took a turn nobody saw coming. One minute, everything’s quiet, just the usual summer rumors and speculation. The next? Boom. Austin Reaves drops a financial grenade that has the entire NBA world scrambling for answers. This isn’t just some minor contract update. It’s a move that could reshape the Lakers’ future. And if you’re a fan, you’re either sweating right now or nodding like, “Yeah, that makes sense.”
Because here’s the thing: Reaves isn’t just some role player. He’s the guy who went from undrafted to indispensable, the one who hits big shots, plays with that sneaky edge, and somehow still feels underpaid. So when news breaks that he’s turning down serious money, you know there’s a bigger play happening. The question is, what’s the endgame?
Breaking: Dan Woike just confirmed on X that Austin Reaves declined a four-year, $89.2 million max extension from the Lakers. But before you panic, he also dropped this key detail: “Both sides want to work a deal next summer.” Translation? This isn’t a breakup. It’s a chess move. The Lakers couldn’t offer more right now due to CBA rules, but next summer? Reaves can demand a five-year, $247 million max deal if he stays, or a four-year, $183 million bag elsewhere. That’s not just a raise, that’s generational wealth. And after averaging 20-5-5 last season? Yeah, he’s betting on himself.
Both sides, I’ve been told, want to work a deal next summer. Details in the story https://t.co/6whMqXyxXy
— Dan Woike (@DanWoikeSports) June 26, 2025
Now, let’s talk numbers. Reaves’ current deal ($54 million over four years) is one of the NBA’s biggest bargains. But here’s the kicker! Next summer, he can opt out and hit free agency at 28, right in his prime. The Lakers want to keep him, but the league knows his value. If he keeps balling out, that $247M offer won’t just be possible; it’ll be necessary. And if another team swoops in with $183M? That’s when things get messy. For now, though, it’s all business. No drama, no demands. Just a player and a team playing the long game.
So, is Reaves leaving? Not yet. But this offseason just got a whole lot more interesting. The Lakers have their guy, for now. The real test comes next summer, when the money talks louder than ever. And if there’s one thing we know about the NBA? When nine figures are on the line, anything can happen.
The post Fact Check: Is Austin Reaves Leaving The Lakers Amid $247M News? appeared first on EssentiallySports.
