Austin Reaves is making headlines as his performance continues to impress. The chemistry he’s formed with Luka Doncic has propelled the Lakers into an impressive nine-game winning streak. The 27-year-old guard is consistently scoring over 15 points, showcasing his offensive prowess.
As a result, several teams are eyeing the opportunity to draw him away from the Lakers as free agency approaches.
Recent insights from Yossi Gozlan of WireHoops reveal that multiple franchises are preparing to pursue Reaves once he hits the open market this summer. In his column for ThirdApron.com, Gozlan indicated that teams like the Atlanta Hawks, Chicago Bulls, and Los Angeles Clippers are likely candidates aiming to recruit him.
“For example, would a team like the Clippers, Hawks, or Bulls offer Reaves a two or three-year max to make a competitive offer? It would be akin to how the Rockets signed Fred VanVleet away from the Raptors in 2023. This scenario could cause the Lakers to rethink their position, considering their need to maintain cap flexibility moving forward,” Gozlan commented.
Rival teams could explore a 2-3 year “max-type” offer to try and lure Austin Reaves away from the Lakers this summer, per @YossiGozlan , h/t @WireHoops
“As Gozlan noted, it would not be surprising if another team explored a two- or three-year max-type offer… pic.twitter.com/Zd6RCc6GwJ
— NBA Base (@TheNBABase) March 23, 2026
This situation poses challenges for the Lakers. Initially, Reaves considered a contract extension, but given his strong play and teams showing interest, the process has become convoluted. The Lakers’ front office remains optimistic, confident in their ability to keep him.
Will Austin Reaves Stay with the Los Angeles Lakers?
Reaves has been vocal about his disdain for losing, which has caught the attention of the Lakers’ management. Analysts predict that the 27-year-old will decline his player option, positioning himself for a significant salary increase, which the team would be eager to provide.
According to Lakers Daily, “The Los Angeles Lakers plan to offer Austin Reaves a five-year, $240 million contract this offseason once unrestricted free agency begins. The Lakers have ‘no fear’ of losing the talented undrafted guard, who wants to spend his entire career with the Purple and Gold.”
REPORT: The Lakers reportedly have “no fear” about losing Austin Reaves in free agency, can offer him up to 5-yrs, $240M 👀
(via @LakersDailyCom) pic.twitter.com/wQl38wBf0r
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) March 11, 2026
The landscape is shaping up for an intriguing battle among teams for Reaves, making his NBA future an exhilarating prospect.
