06/24/26 01:05:00
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06/24 13:03 CDT Lakers will re-sign Austin Reaves to a 4-year, $185 million
deal, AP source says
Lakers will re-sign Austin Reaves to a 4-year, $185 million deal, AP source says
By GREG BEACHAM
AP Sports Writer
EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) --- Austin Reaves is re-signing with the Los Angeles
Lakers on a four-year contract worth $185 million, a person with knowledge of
the deal told The Associated Press on Wednesday.
The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal is not yet official
for Reaves, who cements his status as one of the most successful undrafted
players in recent NBA history with this contract.
Reaves is declining his $14.9 million player option for the upcoming season to
reach this deal with the team that signed him out of Oklahoma after the draft
in 2021. The shifty guard has grown into one of the NBA's most effective
scorers and playmakers, increasing his scoring average in every season of his
five-year career.
The 28-year-old Reaves averaged 23.3 points, 5.5 assists and 4.7 rebounds last
season despite missing two significant chunks of the year with injuries that
followed him into the postseason. He has also developed a close bond with his
Lakers backcourt partner, NBA scoring champion Luka Doncic.
Reaves would have been one of the NBA's top free agents on the open market this
summer. Instead, he remains firmly alongside Doncic while the Lakers and LeBron
James determine their next steps. Los Angeles also has been discussing the
future with impending free agents Rui Hachimura, Luke Kennard and Jaxson Hayes
during the exclusive negotiating window with a team's own free agents.
After the Pacific Division champion Lakers' season ended with a second-round
loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder while Doncic was sidelined by a hamstring
injury, general manager Rob Pelinka made it clear Reaves likely wasn't going
anywhere, saying the team and Reaves had both already essentially decided to
work out an extension. Reaves grew up in Arkansas as a Lakers fan, and he is a
fan favorite in Los Angeles.
"He started his journey here as a Laker, and has made it very clear to us that
he wants his journey to continue as a Laker," Pelinka said. "And we feel the
same way."
The Lakers also formalized their draft-night trade on Wednesday, acquiring the
rights to 24th overall pick Cameron Carr in a deal with the New York Knicks.
Los Angeles gave up cash considerations and the draft rights to Spain's Sergio
De Larrea, who was picked by the Lakers with the 25th selection Tuesday night.
Carr, a 6-foot-5 wing who scored 18.9 points per game for Baylor last season,
will wear No. 43 with the Lakers.
___
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA
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