Why Austin Reaves’ $185 million max contract won’t hurt Lakers’ free agency plans

With Austin Reaves landing a max contract with the Los Angeles Lakers, specifically a four-year, $185 million deal, there could be some fans who are questioning if it will hamper any of the team’s plans in the offseason. While rumors surround the Lakers regarding how the offseason will be, Reaves’ new deal actually won’t impact the team’s plans, as this insider explains why.

According to Bobby Marks of ESPN, Reaves still has a $20.9 million cap hold, despite the new deal projecting the guard to make $41.3 million next season. With the intention of Los Angeles being a cap space team, Reaves will sign the big deal “after the Lakers exhaust room.”

“The Reaves agreement has no impact on the Lakers cap flexibility this summer. The Lakers projected room takes into account Reaves $20.9M cap hold. He will sign last after the Lakers exhaust room. $41.3M in the first year,” Marks wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

The cap hold on Reaves is being used as a strategic asset, so the deal can be agreed upon, though it won’t be signed until Los Angeles uses up its remaining room. Reaves’ deal is now “the richest contract for an undrafted player in NBA history.”

“Los Angeles Lakers star Austin Reaves intends to sign a four-year, $185 million maximum contract to return to the franchise, with a player option for the final season in 2029-30, sources tell ESPN. Reaves declined his $14.9M player option for the new max deal,” Charania wrote on X.

Last season for the Lakers, Reaves averaged 23.3 points, 5.5 assists, and 4.7 rebounds per game while shooting 49 percent from the field and 36 percent from three-point range in 51 games. At any rate, it remains to be seen what else Los Angeles does in the offseason.

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