Determined to win the title, the Lakers are going to have a difficult situation to deal with regarding a member of the squad. Austin Reaves reportedly wants a lot of money, and for fans, his trade is becoming increasingly preferable.As it stands, Austin Reaves is unlikely to be traded this summer. We know that he enjoys the confidence of his team-mates and, above all, his managers, who are convinced that the fullback will be back in top form by October. He had a fine season in Los Angeles in 2025, but was marked by a slump at the worst possible time: the first round of the playoffs against the Timberwolves.
So some are now asking: has Reaves reached his ceiling as a player? Possibly, according to some fans, who would still like to keep him for the time being, knowing that his salary is not too high. But this situation is set to change rapidly, as the player is set to sign a new contract in the summer of 2026.A guaranteed departure from the Lakers?
An AR15 departure could technically extend this summer, but the financial interest would be less for the Lakers player. The most likely scenario is therefore to see him decline his player option in the summer of 2026 and become a free agent, with the intention of taking on a much higher salary. And the numbers could make some people cold. insured?
Reaves’ agent warned a few days ago on Twitter: his client will make a big push in 2026, enough to put pressure on the Lakers to pay him. His demands? A multi-year deal at over 30 million a season. Reaves is a good player, but for the fans, it’s probably too much to keep him.Others think the player deserves it, especially with the evolution of NBA salaries. Whatever happens, the Angelinos are going to have to make a decision, and at the moment, it looks like the front office wants to wait until the next campaign to decide. It’ll be the perfect opportunity for Reaves to prove that he’s worth 30 million, or else his trade should be completed.
