Los Angeles Lakers Expected To Re-Sign Austin Reaves, Giving LeBron James Space To Decide His Future

The Los Angeles Lakers are expected to re-sign Austin Reaves this offseason, according to Marc Stein of The Stein Line.

Reaves will decline his player option for next season and enter unrestricted free agency this offseason for the first time in his career. The Arkansas native signed a four-year, $53 million contract with the Lakers in July 2023.

As for LeBron James, the Lakers are giving the NBA legend space to decide his future, according to Dan Woike of The Athletic. James, 41, becomes an unrestricted free agent this offseason for the first time since 2018. It’s unknown if he wants to continue playing in the NBA.

Los Angeles went 53-29 this regular season. The Purple and Gold beat the Houston Rockets in the first round of the playoffs in six games, but they lost to the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second round in four games.

Reaves missed Games 1, 2, 3 and 4 of the Rockets series due to an oblique injury, while Luka Dončić missed the entire playoffs with a hamstring injury.

Reaves averaged 23.3 points, 4.7 rebounds and 5.5 assists per game in his fifth season with Los Angeles. He has a close relationship with James, Dončić and Lakers head coach JJ Redick.

James, meanwhile, averaged 20.9 points, 6.1 rebounds and 7.2 assists per game in Year 23. He’s still an elite performer despite being the oldest active player in the NBA.

Reaves has spent his entire NBA career with the Lakers, while James has played for the Cleveland Cavaliers (twice), Miami Heat and Lakers.

Arguably the greatest player in NBA history, James joined the Lakers in the summer of 2018 and guided the franchise to the 2020 championship. Before his arrival, Los Angeles hadn’t made the playoffs since 2013.

Insiders who cover the NBA believe that if James doesn’t retire this offseason, he will either re-sign with the Lakers or return to the Cavaliers for a third stint. The future Hall of Famer has also been linked to the Golden State Warriors.

James is a four-time MVP, four-time champion and four-time Finals MVP. He is the all-time leader in points, field goals, games and minutes.

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