Overview

• League reporting indicates Austin Reaves is likely to turn down his 2026-27 player option and could draw offers in the $30–35 million range per year.
• The San Antonio Spurs and other teams are keeping close tabs on his path to unrestricted free agency.
• The Lakers have largely shut down trade overtures and would only consider dealing Reaves as part of a package for a bona fide star.
• Team evaluations raise concerns that a starting backcourt of Luka Doncic and Reaves could struggle defensively.
• Reaves declined a four-year offer worth about $89 million this summer and has worked on strength and quicker catch-and-shoot offense to sharpen his fit next to Doncic and LeBron James.