The Los Angeles Lakers may be in a stronger negotiating position than expected when it comes to retaining Austin Reaves this offseason, with the projected free-agent market shaping up to include only a limited number of realistic bidders, according to Bleacher Report salary cap expert Eric Pincus.
Reaves, who is widely expected to decline his player option and enter unrestricted free agency, is coming off a breakout season that has significantly elevated his value. But even with that rise, the number of teams capable of offering a competitive deal may be smaller than anticipated.
Limited Cap Space Could Work in Lakers’ Favor
GettyGeneral Manager Rob Pelinka of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on prior to the game against the Houston Rockets at Crypto.com Arena on December 25, 2025 in Los Angeles, California.
Pincus emphasized that the dynamics of the market — not just Reaves’ production — will ultimately determine his leverage.
“The Lakers’ negotiating leverage with Reaves will depend on the market, which projects to have few potential suitors,” Pincus wrote. “His leverage depends on finding just one team willing to drive up his price.”
Based on a projected $165 million salary cap for the 2026-27 season, Pincus identified the Chicago Bulls and Brooklyn Nets as the two teams most likely to have the financial flexibility to pursue a player in Reaves’ range.
Chicago is projected to have approximately $63 million in cap space, while Brooklyn could have around $44.8 million available.
Bulls’ Direction Remains Unclear
Even with that flexibility, Chicago’s approach remains uncertain following the departure of executive Artūras Karnišovas.
The Bulls have recently leaned toward building around younger players such as Josh Giddey and Matas Buzelis, and their free-agency priorities could depend heavily on the outcome of the NBA Draft lottery.
Reaves would represent a strong on-ball creator to complement that group, but whether Chicago chooses to accelerate its timeline remains unclear.
It will all depend on who they get as their next top decision-maker.
Nets Present Fit, but Face Constraints
The Nets also have the cap space to pursue Reaves, but their situation is complicated by long-term roster considerations.
Brooklyn remains in a rebuilding phase, and its future is partially tied to prior transactions — including the deal involving James Harden that gave the Houston Rockets swap rights on upcoming draft picks.
That context could influence how aggressively the Nets approach free agency, even as Reaves’ skill set would fit alongside players such as Michael Porter Jr. and Nicolas Claxton.
But it is unlikely that Reaves would trade competing in the playoffs alongside Doncic for leading a rebuilding team in Brooklyn at the prime of his career.
Other Teams Considered Long Shots
Pincus also pointed to additional teams as theoretical options, though each comes with uncertainty.
The LA Clippers’ financial outlook could change depending on the NBA’s ongoing review of Kawhi Leonard’s contract situation, which may affect their ability to pursue players in Reaves’ price range.
The Atlanta Hawks could also attempt to create flexibility, including decisions involving Jonathan Kuminga, but doing so would require significant roster maneuvering.
While other teams could explore trades to open cap space, Pincus’ analysis suggests that the Lakers’ most realistic competition remains limited.
Reaves’ Breakout Season Raises Stakes
Reaves has positioned himself for a major contract after averaging 23.3 points, 5.5 assists and 4.7 rebounds in 51 games this season. He has taken on an expanded offensive role alongside Luka Dončić, at times even surpassing LeBron James in the team’s offensive hierarchy.
His ability to create offense both on and off the ball has been critical to the Lakers’ success, particularly during stretches when injuries tested the team’s depth.
However, his late-season Grade 2 oblique strain — reported by ESPN insider Shams Charania — has clouded his availability for the postseason and could impact how teams evaluate him heading into free agency.
Lakers Positioned With Quiet Leverage
Given the limited number of teams with both the financial flexibility and roster need to pursue Reaves, the Lakers may find themselves negotiating from a position of relative strength.
If no team emerges as an aggressive bidder, Los Angeles could retain one of its core players without facing a significant market-driven price surge.
As the offseason approaches, the situation highlights a key reality: while Reaves’ value has risen, the market around him may ultimately determine just how far that value climbs — and whether the Lakers can keep him as part of their long-term plans.
Lakers Get Good News as Austin Reaves’ Free Agency Market Takes Shape