The Los Angeles Lakers are currently facing a daunting second round task. They are facing the defending NBA champions.
In Game 1, the Lakers showed some encouraging fight for a while, but the Oklahoma City Thunder played like they, really, didn’t care.
The game was somewhat competitive until the final few minutes of the third quarter, where the Thunder showed their trademark dominance and started mounting a lead.
And as that happened, frustrated Lakers fans thought more and more about Austin Reaves.
If only the immensely talented Reaves came along with LeBron James, who was cooking early.
Reaves was out of sync all night. He made some embarrassing statistical history, too, by missing 10 uncontested shots. Yikes.
Reaves’ performance has many up in arms about his Lakers future. After all, a chance to sign a big contract could be on the horizon soon.
Los Angeles Lakes Star to Draw Major Interest Around NBA
It’s funny how one game can change the discourse so intensely around one player.
Here Reaves was, fans on his side, arguing how much he deserves a massive new contract the Lakers should pay him.
Then Game 1 happened.
Then a lot of fans wanted Reaves off the team. Like, now.
GettyAustin Reaves #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers calls a play during the first half of a game against the Denver Nuggets at Crypto.com Arena on March 14, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Reaves is gearing up to sort out his contract situation with the Lakers this offseason.
Reaves only has one year left on his contract after this season and that’s a player-option worth roughly $15 million. It is widely believed the 27-year-old star will decline his option in pursuit of a significant raise.
He can sign a five year deal worth north of $240 million with the Lakers.
But what if Reaves rips off a surprise and chooses to explore his options elsewhere?
According to NBA insider Brian Windhorst, Reaves is set to earn massive interest from other NBA teams this summer, potentially throwing a twist in L.A.’s offseason plans.
“I believe Austin Reaves will have a market outside of Los Angeles,” Windhorst said Thursday. “I believe he will get bids from teams. … I think the Lakers are gonna be under a competitive environment to pay him. And he’s underpaid right now. … He is over-performing that contract. The question is how high the Lakers can go while still building out their roster.”
A Big Postseason on the Line
Reaves finds himself in a tough situation.
He injured his oblique toward the end of the regular season, keeping him out multiple weeks and well into the Lakers’ first round series against the Houston Rockets.
He is just now returning to action but looks a few steps slow.
This was supposed to be the postseason where Reaves proves he is worth max dollars. With the Lakers projected to be finished off quickly by the Thunder in the semifinals, Reaves may not even get an adequate opportunity to prove his value.
However, Windhorst believes Reaves and the Lakers will come to an agreement on a new deal.
“My feel is a deal will get done,” Windhorst expressed, “but I think there will probably be a little bit of a drama to get there.”
The Lakers have some decisions to make this summer. Not only on Reaves, L.A. is marching toward an interesting offseason with James, who is set to become an unrestricted free agent in July.
With the franchise’s goal of surrounding Luka Doncic with the best supporting cast, the Lakers have to act strategically.
Lakers Get Major Austin Reaves Free Agency News Amid Thunder Series