Latest Austin Reaves news has Lakers fans feeling on edge

The Los Angeles Lakers will have LeBron James and Luka Doncic when the 2025–26 season begins. The Lakers are also expected to have Austin Reaves. However, the latest news regarding Reaves has fans in Los Angeles feeling a bit skittish as they think about the future of the organization.

According to Dan Wokie with The Athletic:

"League sources say Reaves formally declined a max extension with the Lakers this week that would’ve paid him $89.2 million over the next four seasons. He’s about to start the third year of a four-year, $54 million contract he signed as a restricted free agent in 2023 — also the max number he could receive from the Lakers at the time."

He later confirmed the report with a tweet:

Sources: Lakers guard Austin Reaves declined a max extension with the team earlier this week. Here's what that means and why it shouldn't be a surprise https://t.co/sIbIG0PEOL

After the 2025–26 season, Reaves can opt out and become an unrestricted free agent. He is expected to receive a significant contract offer, likely much larger than the extension the Lakers were allowed to offer this summer.

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When Lakers Vice President of Basketball Operations Rob Pelinka held his end-of-season press conference on May 1, he spoke about his vision for the team and emphasized building around Reaves as a cornerstone.

“I think when your foundation for those three players is that they’re players of high character and a highly competitive nature, that’s the perfect starting point to have three players like that,” Pelinka said. “LeBron’s a selfless player, high character. All he cares about is winning. Luka Dončić, the same. Austin Reaves, the same. I think when you get those three pillars in a training camp environment and you’re starting to build an ethos around them, that’s a great starting point. And we didn’t have that opportunity this year, but we will next year.”

Reaves has not shown any signs of wanting to leave the Lakers—in fact, quite the opposite. At a camp this summer, Reaves told K8 News:

“And obviously the Lakers are the best organization in basketball. I want to be in L.A. I want to play my whole career in L.A. I love it there. I love the fans. Love the weather, love the golf.”

Still, that hasn’t eased the nerves of many Lakers fans, who worry he may leave after this upcoming season. Reaves averaged 20.2 points per game for Los Angeles.

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