The Los Angeles Lakers entered the 2026 NBA free agency with tough decisions concerning the expiring contracts of superstars LeBron James and Austin Reaves.
However, one of those problems has been officially put to bed, as Reaves recently agreed to a four-year, $185 million extension with the purple-and-gold—the largest contract for an undrafted player in NBA history.
After declining his $14.9 million player option, the deal keeps the 6-foot-5 guard firmly tied to the historic franchise until 2030, with a player option in his final year.
Lakers Retain Lethal Scoring Duo for the Future
With Reaves staying put in the City of Angels for the near future, the Lakers will have no concerns on offence, as their two leading scorers—Reaves and Slovenian star Luka Doncic—have secured long-term contracts with the team.
In his fifth year in the league, the 28-year-old averaged a career-high 23.4 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 4.7 assists this past season, but was limited to 51 regular-season games due to a calf injury, as well as an oblique muscle strain in April that lingered into his subpar playoff stint, where the Lakers were eventually swept by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second round.
Reaves was initially one of the most sought-after guards in this offseason, with teams such as the Detroit Pistons and Brooklyn Nets expressing strong interest and preparing to offer a large contract for the scoring guard.
LeBron’s Future Still in Jeopardy
With Reaves staying put in Los Angeles for the next few years, the 41-year-old James remains one of the biggest names in the free agency market today.
The 6-foot-8 forward saw a major dip in performance this season, averaging only 20.1 points per game, along with 6.1 rebounds and 7.2 assists per contest—mainly due to the emergence of Reaves and Doncic.
However, recent reports indicate that James and the Lakers are already attempting to negotiate a new deal. Given Reaves’ recent extension, though, a max contract may be out of the question due to James’ age and budget constraints.
ESPN’s Brian Windhorst also reported that a sign-and-trade involving James and big man Jarrett Allen has recently gained traction. The move would send The King back to his original team, the Cleveland Cavaliers, who are well equipped for a title bid, while the Lakers would finally fulfil Doncic’s request for an “A-list center.”
Whatever the case may be, the Lakers are clearly not done tweaking their roster this summer—as Reaves’ extension may only be the opening move. Whether that final roster will include James is something to keep an eye on, too.
