The Los Angeles Lakers saw Austin Reaves return from injury in their Game 5 loss to the Houston Rockets in the first round of the playoffs. But after a disappointing 4/16 shooting performance, it raises more questions about the shooting guard’s future with the team.
Reaves will be a free agent this summer for the Lakers, and while he is predicted to turn down his player option in hopes of landing a max contract extension this summer, that is yet to be set in stone.
While it was just Reaves’ first game back from his oblique strain in what was overall a subpar performance from the star, both his recent injury history and potential asking price for a new deal could become a growing issue for the Lakers heading into the offseason.
Lakers’ Austin Reaves Free Agency Decision
GettyDALLAS, TEXAS – JANUARY 07: Austin Reaves #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers and head coach JJ Redick talk during the second quarter against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center on January 07, 2025 in Dallas, Texas.
Reaves is expected to decline his $14.9 player option and enter unrestricted free agency. It’s been reported that the Lakers will offer him a five-year, $241 million deal this summer, and though he’s closing out the best season of his career, questions remain on if that is the right move for Los Angeles.
Writing for Bleacher Report, Grant Hughes highlighted that though the Lakers signing Reaves to a new extension this offseason is the prevailing though, Los Angeles might want to reconsider keeping him on a contract that could hinder their future team-building ability.
“The Lakers don’t want to offend Reaves, who played like a first-option star for chunks of the early season, but they also need to avoid spending more than necessary,” he wrote.
While Reaves and Luka Doncic aren’t the same type of player, they bring a similar skillset to the table. However, with Doncic’s roughly $50 million a year salary plus Reaves’ expected extension, the Lakers might not want to tie down a hefty percentage of their salary cap just on their starting guards.
“All they really need to do to beat the market is top the best offer another team can make,” Hughes added, mentioning that other teams can only offer Reaves up to $179 million. “Even that might be a little rich for a player who feels duplicative with Dončić around. A low-ball contract could cause Reaves to consider other options.”
Additionally, like the injury Reaves just returned from, he doesn’t have the best recent health history. He missed four weeks with the current oblique strain, along with more than five weeks earlier in the year with a calf strain, and missed even more time with smaller injuries throughout the season.
Reaves played a career-low 51 games for the Lakers this season, and while the stats were a career-high, long-term health concerns linger, making the idea of signing him to a brand new extension a bit more complicated.
Austin Reaves Returns From Injury In Game 5 Loss
GettyLOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 29: Austin Reaves #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers dribbles the ball against Aaron Holiday #0 of the Houston Rockets during the third quarter in Game Five of the First Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena on April 29, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.
After being questionable for Game 5 like he was in the Lakers’ previous two contests against the Rockets, Reaves was finally upgraded to available on Wednesday night after missing nearly four weeks with his oblique strain.
He did not start the game for Los Angeles, but finished with 22 points on 4/16 shooting, including four rebounds and six assists in 34 minutes.
He was shaking off the rust after missing nearly a month, which is typical in injury return games. Still, his Game 5 performance wasn’t enough to help the Lakers close out the series against Houston.
While Reaves’ injury return game might not be too big of a concern, as the Lakers are likely focusing everything on how to win Game 6, it raises some questions of if he is worth the potential $241 million extension he is expected to be offered.
Again, the Lakers will offer Reaves a new payday in hopes of keeping him around, but as Hughes mentioned, bringing him back for nearly $50 million a year is a lot for a player who hasn’t been named an All-Star and is coming off a few concerning injuries.
Still, though his Game 5 performance likely wasn’t what Los Angeles had hoped for, getting him back healthy is good news for them as they try to close out the series against the Rockets. His free agency status remains undecided, but after his outing on Wednesday night, it doesn’t solidify the idea of him becoming one of the highest-paid players in the NBA.
Lakers’ Austin Reaves Decision Becomes More Difficult After Game 5 Injury Return