Austin Reaves’ Contract Demands Revealed
Austin Reaves is expected to decline his player option and become an unrestricted free agent after the 2025-2026 season, meaning the Lakers will have to decide whether they want to bring him back. The price is expected to be hefty, though. Reaves reportedly has a specific range in which he wants to be paid, and it has recently been revealed.
Austin Reaves Wants Star Money
Per NBC Sports’ Kurt Helin, Reaves wants to be paid in the same range as Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro. Herro signed his current contract, which began in 2023, for four years at $120 million, giving him an AAV of $30 million per year.
Austin Reaves reportedly wants a contract worth the same as Tyler Herro’s, per @basketballtalk
“Reaves will be a free agent. There is zero chance he is picking up his $14.9 million player option, even if he plans to stay with the Lakers. Reaves reportedly wants to be paid in… pic.twitter.com/MVEM8Tlklw
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) August 13, 2025
To add context to the contract request, Tyler Herro boasted a stat line of 23.9 PPG, 5.2 RPG, and 5.5 APG on 47/37/87 shooting splits this past season. He was the first option for the Heat for a majority of the season.
Reaves, meanwhile, averaged 20 PPG, 4.5 RPG, and 5.8 APG on 46/37/87 splits as the third option for LA. So the numbers between the two players are somewhat similar, but their roles differ. This is something that could come into play when it is time for the Lakers to make a decision.
Thirty million dollars a year is certainly a big number to pay for your third option. Helin reports, though, that the Lakers would gladly keep Reaves if his game continues to improve alongside Luka Doncic. However, if Reaves were to repeat his poor playoff performance this year, he would likely not receive his requested amount and would likely leave LA.
It’s also important to note that the Lakers have ensured they will have enough money to pursue a superstar in 2027 free agency, another factor that could alter how they look at Reaves’ contract.
At the end of the day, this is shaping up to be a “prove it” year for Austin Reaves. Take another jump and perform in the playoffs? He will get his money and stay in LA. Stay stagnant and falter in the big games? Then his journey in LA, which started as an undrafted rookie, could be over.
