A golf course felt like an unlikely setting for one of the summer’s biggest NBA moments. Yet that is exactly where Austin Reaves learned his future had changed forever.
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Reaves agreed to a four-year, $185 million maximum deal with the Los Angeles Lakers. Furthermore, the contract includes a player option for the 2029-30 season.
Austin Reaves Contract Breaks an NBA Record
This Austin Reaves contract carries serious historical weight. In fact, it is now the richest deal ever handed to an undrafted player in league history. Remarkably, he claimed that record without ever earning an All-Star selection.
Reaves arrived in Los Angeles back in 2021 with no draft pick to his name. Since then, he has steadily climbed into the Lakers’ core.
Last season delivered his finest work yet. He averaged 23.3 points, 5.5 assists and 4.7 rebounds per game. Moreover, he shot a sharp 49% from the field.
However, injuries cut his year short. A calf problem and an oblique strain limited him to just 51 games. Despite the setbacks, his market value never slipped.
He also rushed back for the playoffs, yet he struggled to rediscover his rhythm. As a result, several analysts expected his next deal to shrink.
Why the Lakers Moved Fast
Instead of waiting, the Lakers acted before free agency could open. Detroit reportedly lined up a serious run at the guard. Therefore, Los Angeles locked him in early to remove any risk.
Reaves has long talked about spending his entire career in Southern California. Meanwhile, general manager Rob Pelinka made clear the team wanted his journey to continue in purple and gold.
Now Reaves joins Luka Dončić as the backbone of the Lakers’ future. With both stars secured, the focus shifts to building a roster that can finally chase a title.
