The Los Angeles Lakers enter the offseason facing major roster questions after being swept by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference semifinals. Among the biggest decisions surrounding the franchise are the futures of LeBron James and Austin Reaves.
Reaves addressed his future with the organization after Monday night’s Game 4 loss at Crypto.com Arena. The 27-year-old guard is expected to decline his $14.9 million player option for next season and enter free agency after posting career-best numbers during the 2025-26 campaign.
The Lakers guard also shared an honest message about playing alongside James, whose future remains uncertain as he heads into free agency at 41.
Austin Reaves Opens Up on Playing With LeBron James
“It’s been fun [playing with him],” Reaves said of James. “I hope I can continue to do that.”
Reaves said he is not focused too far ahead despite the uncertainty surrounding the Lakers’ roster this summer.
“I’m going to be honest. I’ve been around for five years and you all probably know me pretty well,” Reaves told reporters. “I don’t think about much. I take life day by day, and I’m just blessed to have the opportunity to play for this organization.”
“I play a kid’s game, I make good money, but I don’t really think about what I’m going to do in the future. I just go day-by-day.”
Reaves finished the season averaging career highs of 23.3 points and 4.7 rebounds while shooting 49 percent from the field across 51 games. Injuries limited his availability during the season and playoffs. A calf injury and later an oblique issue that sidelined him until Game 5 of the first-round series against the Houston Rockets.
Despite that, Reaves established himself as a key piece alongside Luka Doncic and James during the Lakers’ late-season surge. Before injuries hit the roster, Los Angeles went 15-2 in March, including wins over the Houston Rockets, Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves, New York Knicks, and Cleveland Cavaliers.
Luka Doncic and Lakers Face Key Offseason Decisions
GettyLos Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic
Doncic also addressed the Lakers’ future after the season-ending loss to Oklahoma City. The star guard praised both James and Reaves after the playoff exit.
“This season obviously didn’t end how we wanted,” Doncic said. “But I feel like the last push we made in the end of the regular season, we thought we were gonna compete for a championship.”
“I think we had a great team, we had great chemistry, and obviously playing with AR and Bron, it’s an unbelievable experience. They are two great players and it was really fun to share the court with them.”
Doncic later joked when asked whether he planned to recruit James and Reaves to remain in Los Angeles.
“We’ll see. Can’t tell you nothing,” he said.
The Lakers now head into an offseason that could reshape the roster around Doncic. James is an unrestricted free agent, while Reaves is widely expected to explore the market after his breakout season.
League and team sources told The Athletic that Doncic wants Reaves to remain part of the Lakers’ long-term core. According to those sources, Doncic has expressed belief in Reaves as a key fit next to him.
The Lakers are also expected to explore roster upgrades after falling short against the defending champion Thunder. Head coach JJ Redick acknowledged after the loss that the team still has work to do to reach a championship level.
“That’s what we have to figure out this offseason,” Redick said. “We’re trying to win a championship. And so you have to be realistic and assess where you’re at. And we’re not good enough right now.”
For now, the Lakers’ offseason will center around whether James returns and whether Reaves remains alongside Doncic as the franchise attempts to close the gap in the Western Conference.
Austin Reaves Drops Honest Admission on LeBron James After Lakers’ Playoff Exit