Austin Reaves Lands Record-Setting $185M Deal To Stay With Lakers – Is He Really Worth It?

Austin Reaves is signing a four-year, $185 million max contract with the L.A. Lakers, marking their biggest move of the NBA offseason so far. The deal ensures one of the franchise’s most important players will remain in Los Angeles for years to come. It is the richest contract ever awarded to an undrafted player in NBA history.

According to multiple reports, Reaves declined his $14.9 million player option for the 2026-27 season to finalize the new deal. The Detroit Pistons were reportedly pursuing him aggressively and nearly signed him before the Lakers acted quickly.

After going undrafted out of Oklahoma in 2021, Reaves’ rise to a massive contract is remarkable. He has emerged as one of the team’s biggest stars and has become a fan favorite for his consistent improvement and productivity, especially on offense. While he still has room to improve defensively, Reaves is now one of the Lakers’ most productive guards.

Offensively, Reaves averaged 23 points, five assists and four rebounds in 51 games. His scoring, efficiency, playmaking and ability to perform in big moments made him one of the NBA’s top breakout players.

Keeping Reaves was one of the Lakers’ top offseason priorities. President of basketball operations Rob Pelinka repeatedly called Reaves a franchise cornerstone. The Lakers moved quickly to eliminate Detroit’s chance of signing him, acting decisively once they heard the Pistons were closing in

The Lakers even played his favorite country music to help persuade him to stay. Reaves and Luka Dončić developed strong chemistry during the 2025 season, though there is still some uncertainty about LeBron James’s future.

For Reaves, this deal is a reward for betting on himself last year. He turned down a smaller extension because salary cap rules limited what the Lakers could offer at the time.

Now, Reaves enters the next chapter of his NBA career as one of the highest-paid guards in the league and a central piece of the Lakers’ championship aspirations. For an undrafted player who fought for every opportunity, the deal is remarkable.

​