The Los Angeles Lakers have agreed to a four-year, $185 million maximum contract with guard Austin Reaves, making him the highest-paid undrafted player in NBA history. The deal, first reported by ESPN's Shams Charania, solidifies Reaves' role as a core piece of the Lakers' future alongside Luka Dončić.
Reaves, 28, joined the Lakers in 2021 on a two-way contract and has since developed into a key contributor, averaging a career-high 23.3 points per game last season while shooting 58.8% from the field. His performance, however, has drawn scrutiny during the playoffs, particularly in the Western Conference semifinals against the Oklahoma City Thunder, where he struggled with efficiency and defensive lapses.
The contract includes a $41.3 million first-year salary and does not impact the Lakers' cap flexibility this summer, according to ESPN's Bobby Marks. The Lakers will prioritize building a roster around Dončić, who is entering his age-28 season, while LeBron James, 41, remains a free agent with the option to re-sign with Los Angeles.
Reaves' deal marks the first major move in what is expected to be a pivotal offseason for the Lakers as they aim to contend for a championship while managing salary cap constraints and roster construction.