Austin Reaves: 'I want to play my whole career' with Lakers
Austin Reaves: 'I want to play my whole career' with Lakers
There have been some rumors that the Los Angeles Lakers could look to trade guard Austin Reaves this summer. Even more than that, there is a sizable number of Lakers fans who want the team to trade him or even feel it will be necessary to ship him out if the team is to seriously contend for the NBA championship.
Reaves raised his production yet again this season and averaged 20.2 points and 5.8 assists a game. His scoring and shooting percentages rose after Luka Doncic was sent to Los Angeles in early February, but he struggled in the first round of the playoffs when the team lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves in five games.
Reaves hosted his annual kids' basketball camp this past weekend, and per Arkansas-based KAIT, he said he wants to remain with the Lakers for good.
'I think the sky's the limit for us,' he said. 'We're moving in the right direction. Obviously, adding Luka (Doncic), it gives you a hall of fame player such a young age that you can build around, and then obviously, still having Bron (Lebron James), the IQ, and still running around at forty years old, but I want to be in LA. I want to play my whole career in LA. I love it there. I love the fans. Love the weather, love the golf. And obviously the Lakers is the best organization in basketball. (on trade rumors) I don't pay attention to it. I keep my head down work, and I feel like that's one of the reasons I'm where I'm at.'
Deciding whether to trade Reaves isn't a straightforward matter for the Lakers. He has a player option for the 2026-27 season, and as a result, he can opt out and become a free agent next summer. Right now, his contract, which will pay him $13.9 million next season, has to be considered a major bargain.
According to Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report, the Arkansas native is expected to opt out in 2026 and seek a new contract that would pay him roughly $30 million a year.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
12 minutes ago
- Yahoo
"Those three guys are not gonna win anything" - Shannon Sharpe urges the Lakers to trade Austin Reaves and improve their team
"Those three guys are not gonna win anything" - Shannon Sharpe urges the Lakers to trade Austin Reaves and improve their team originally appeared on Basketball Network. Time is ticking for the Los Angeles Lakers if they want to maximize their championship prowess with the tandem of Luka Doncic and LeBron James. With "The King" turning 41 next season, the window to chase a championship with him is narrow at best. Advertisement That is why Shannon Sharpe feels the Purple and Gold need to act strategically, and that includes considering a tough decision — trading their most valuable trade chip, Austin Reaves, to pursue a traditional center that can help elevate the game of both James and Doncic. Reaves is the only asset that the Lakers have After averaging 15.9 points and 5.5 assists during the 2023-24 campaign, AR proved himself to be one of the most reliable no. 3 options in the league. As a result, the franchise rewarded him with a four-year, $53 million contract before the start of this season. And "Hillbilly Kobe" didn't disappoint, averaging 20.2 points in the 2024-25 season, asserting himself as one of the most valuable pieces in their core. During the 2025 trade deadline, the Lakers seemed determined not to entertain any trade offers for Reaves. However, as the legendary NFL tight end said, now is the time to consider. With the 6'5" shooting guard now reaching his borderline All-Star level, more and more teams will be interested in offering him a lucrative contract worthy of his growth and talent. Advertisement On his podcast, Sharpe argued that from a team perspective, the Lakers need to offer their most valuable piece to acquire a battle-tested rim protector and pick-and-lob threat who can dominate the paint alongside the marquee duo. "The Lakers can only pay him so much. You're gonna go somewhere and get a big payday anyway. You ain't trying to stay with the Lakers when you get $200 million, and they can't give you that," Sharpe said. "Yeah, he has improved every single year; he's a hell of a player." "But those three guys are not gonna win anything. Now, I'm not saying you gotta package him, but they need a (traditional) big. He's the only valuable piece that they have," he added. Related: "He's Mr. Discipline, Mr. Straight, Mr. Conservative" - Dennis Rodman admits Gregg Popovich was "the big problem" in San Antonio The Lakers should never trade AR As tempting as it is to see Reaves' name used as trade bait, the truth is that the Lakers should not let go of him so easily. The 26-year-old is not an ordinary rising star but a homegrown fan favorite. Suppose the organization has put its faith in him. In that case, he has rewarded that trust by improving each season, regardless of the coaching changes or shifting roles. Advertisement Whether Bron or Luka was out of the lineup, AR stepped up and delivered, proving that he's more than capable of handling pressure on the big stage. And that is exactly the type of selfless, gritty player who can help build long-term success. He might not have individual accolades to his name. Still, with how Reaves has performed in the 2024-25 season, he was better as a third option than the second option of some teams and, in a handful of cases, more impactful than the production of the team's best player. Thus, the Lakers should definitely have plans for the future now that the Doncic era has begun. Still, trading proven youngsters like Reaves would only be a lose-lose move, as they would be giving up on a selfless, team-oriented player only to add another experiment to their roster. Related: "With Jordan, they don't talk about the the playoff losses" - Michael Beasley says LeBron is '100%' the GOAT over MJ This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on May 28, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
12 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Stephen A. Smith Updates Tyrese Haliburton's 'Superstar' Status After Game 6 of the NBA Finals
Stephen A. Smith Updates Tyrese Haliburton's 'Superstar' Status After Game 6 of the NBA Finals originally appeared on Athlon Sports. As the NBA season looks forward to the final game of the 2024-25 season, there will be a lot of anticipation leading up to Game 7 of the NBA Finals. Advertisement The Indiana Pacers were able to keep their championship hopes alive after a complete blowout in their final home game of the season, beating the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 6 with a final score of 108-91. Jun 19, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard (2) dribbles defended by Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams (8) in the first quarter during game six of the 2025 NBA Finals at Gainbridge Fieldhouse© Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images Defense was the key factor to the Pacers' dominant victory, as Indiana made Oklahoma City turn the ball over 21 times compared to their 11. This helped the Pacers take 92 shots, while the Thunder attempted just 74. One key headline leading up to the game was the health status of the Pacers' point guard, Tyrese Haliburton. Haliburton has been dealing with a calf strain, and it left him labeled as questionable heading into the series-determining game. Advertisement He was able to play in the game, and his calf was able to hold up as he finished with 14 points, five assists, and two steals in a limited 23 minutes. Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton reacts after a play against the Oklahoma City Thunder during Game 6 of the 2025 NBA Finals at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on June 19, Terada-Imagn Images ESPN's Stephen A. Smith was left unimpressed, however, and he was able to give an update on Haliburton's "superstar" status on Friday morning. "He's a damn good player. He sort of stirs the cups for Indiana's offense. We will give him his props where it's due, what we're not going to do is call him a superstar. We're not going to do that," Stephen A. Smith said on First Take. Stephen A. was also able to give Haliburton credit in the impressive amount of clutch shots he's made for the Pacers in their playoff run this season. Advertisement Haliburton has hit four different game-tying or go-ahead shots in the final five seconds of games in the 2025 NBA Playoffs. His buzzer-beating game-winner in Game 1 has given the Pacers momentum in The Final's series against the Thunder, leading to their push to Game 7 to determine who will win the NBA championship this season. The real question will be if Tyrese Haliburton and the Indiana Pacers will be able to continue their prominent run this playoffs and travel back to Oklahoma City to knock of the Thunder and capture the franchise's first NBA championship. This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 20, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
18 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Commanders' Magic Johnson Speaks Out on Los Angeles Lakers Blockbuster Sale
Commanders' Magic Johnson Speaks Out on Los Angeles Lakers Blockbuster Sale originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Earvin "Magic" Johnson may be a part-time owner of the Washington Commanders, but his heart remains in Los Angeles. Advertisement The Hall-of-Fame point guard of the LA Lakers has remained with the team for decades after his retirement. A personal relationship with the Buss family—the former ownership group of the Lakers—doesn't hurt. Magic wasn't upset by the announcement that the Buss family would be selling their majority share of the Lakers for a record $10 billion. He was proud of the family. … Sentiments he shared on social media. "Job well done to my sister Jeanie Buss for striking an incredible deal and picking the right person to carry on the Lakers' legacy and tradition of winning - Mark Walter, my business partner and friend," Johnson said. "Mark Walter is the best choice and will be the best caretaker of the Laker brand. The proof is in the pudding on what he's been able to accomplish with the LA Dodgers. Advertisement "Mark has been nothing short of a winner, notching 2 World Series and 11 NL West divisional titles in the last 12 years!" Is it weird that Johnson is a part owner of the Dodgers, and the majority owner just bought the Lakers from his friends? Perhaps. But it isn't like the Buss family is complaining. They are now the richest former owners in North American sports history. Magic, meanwhile, will remain a Laker legend forever. His ability to diversify his financial portfolio to include owners of the Dodgers and Commanders while being friends with the Lakers' new owner only shows his legacy in sports. Advertisement And just how "magic" his relationships are. Related: Commanders' 2nd-Round Pick Earns Offseason Rookie Honor Related: NFL Legend Adrian Peterson Poker Game Fight Video Going Viral This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 21, 2025, where it first appeared.
