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The Lakers are generating buzz after the record sale of majority stake in the team for $10 billion last week.
And now there’s some roster news making waves.
Lakers guard Austin Reaves declined a max extension — worth $89.2 million over the next four seasons — with the team earlier this week, The Athletic reported Thursday.
Reaves reportedly told the Lakers he thought it was best to wait and the decision wasn’t rooted in animosity.
His decision stemmed from the limitations placed on the amount the Lakers could offer this week, league sources told The Athletic.
Reaves is entering the third year of a four-year, $54 million contract he signed with the Lakers as a restricted free agent in 2023.
He can opt out of that deal and become an unrestricted free agent next summer, when he will be expecting a lucrative payday.
The Lakers reportedly value Reaves as a key piece alongside superstars LeBron James and Luka Doncic, and haven’t shown interest in trading him.
This news came a day after Lakers owners Jeanie Buss confirmed the sale of the team to businessman Mark Walter — who has been a minority owner of the Lakers since 2021.
Nonetheless, she is still expected to remain governor of the franchise and continue to oversee all team operations on a day-to-day basis for the foreseeable future.
Buss said the ownership is expected to close in the third or fourth quarter (July-December) of 2025.
After securing the No. 3 seed in the West, the Lakers’ season ended at the hands of the Timberwolves in five games in the first round of the 2025 NBA playoffs.
Minnesota defeated Los Angeles in Game 5, 103-96.
Reaves — who averaged a career high 20.2 points per game during the regular season — was limited in the series due to a toe injury.
James, who suffered a Grade 2 MCL sprain in his left knee in the season-ending loss, is expected to reveal his decision about his playing future this week.
The four-time NBA champ has a $52.6 million player option with a June 29 deadline to decide whether to return to the Lakers for the 2025-26 season.
During an appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show” Thursday, ESPN’s Shams Charania said, “It still is likely James will opt in” to his player option.
James, 40, previously said he would discuss his NBA future with his family after completing his 22nd season.
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