Lakers Focus on Retaining Austin Reaves as LeBron James Faces Uncertain Future

This summer, several players from the Los Angeles Lakers will enter free agency, including both Austin Reaves and LeBron James. However, their situations differ significantly, reflecting their respective career stages.

LeBron James may be approaching the twilight of his illustrious career, potentially entering his final season in the NBA. In contrast, 28-year-old Austin Reaves is on the cusp of his prime, with expectations of securing a substantial contract during free agency.

As the Lakers look to build around Luka Doncic as their cornerstone player, Reaves has demonstrated that he can effectively complement Doncic for the long haul. NBA insider Jovan Buha revealed that the Lakers are leaning towards prioritizing Reaves over possibly re-signing James for what could be his last season. “If it comes down to whether you’d rather pay Austin $40 million per year for the next five years or LeBron $40 million for one year, they’re going to prioritize the long-term contract,” Buha shared on his YouTube channel.

Buha anticipates that the Lakers will offer Reaves a deal worth at least $35 million annually. Furthermore, he predicts that the team will also look to retain Jaxson Hayes, Rui Hachimura, and Marcus Smart. While negotiating with James may prove to be complex, Buha expects that the Lakers will still find a way to keep him on the roster.