Lakers' Austin Reaves Likely to Return on Big Contract

Clutch Points insider says there's only a 5% chance Reaves is traded as part of a deal for Giannis Antetokounmpo

Apr. 10, 2026 at 4:38am

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting a basketball game or match, with sharp, overlapping planes of color and form representing the complex trade negotiations between the Lakers and Bucks.A cubist interpretation of the potential trade dynamics between the Lakers and Bucks, with Austin Reaves at the center.Los Angeles Today

Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves is expected to return to the team next season on a lucrative contract extension, according to NBA insider Brett Siegel. Reaves, who is in the final year of his current deal, has become an integral part of the Lakers alongside stars Luka Doncic and LeBron James. While there is a small 5% chance Reaves could be included in a trade package to acquire Giannis Antetokounmpo, Siegel says he is '95% sure' Reaves will remain in LA on a 'mega contract'.

Why it matters

Reaves has emerged as a key complementary piece for the Lakers alongside their superstar duo of Doncic and James. Retaining Reaves on a long-term deal would provide stability and continuity for the Lakers as they look to build a championship contender around their star players.

The details

Reaves is currently dealing with an oblique injury, but is expected to return to the Lakers in the offseason. While there is a slim 5% chance he could be included in a trade package to land Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Lakers are widely expected to sign Reaves to a lucrative contract extension to keep him in Los Angeles.

  • Reaves is in the final year of his current contract with the Lakers.

The players

Austin Reaves

A guard for the Los Angeles Lakers who has emerged as a key complementary piece alongside stars Luka Doncic and LeBron James.

Luka Doncic

The superstar forward for the Los Angeles Lakers.

LeBron James

The superstar forward for the Los Angeles Lakers.

Giannis Antetokounmpo

The superstar forward for the Milwaukee Bucks, who the Lakers may try to acquire in a trade.

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What they’re saying

“For Austin Reaves, I think that his situation is pretty locked in stone there that he's going to be returning to the Lakers on a big contract. 95 percent sure, the only 5% that I say that he won't is because of something that we're going to talk about in a little bit. And it goes back to Giannis Antetokounmpo.”

— Brett Siegel, NBA Insider, Clutch Points

What’s next

The Lakers will look to sign Reaves to a contract extension in the offseason, locking him up as a key piece alongside Doncic and James.

The takeaway

Retaining Austin Reaves is a priority for the Lakers as they look to build a championship contender around their superstar duo of Luka Doncic and LeBron James. While there is a slim chance Reaves could be included in a trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Lakers are widely expected to sign Reaves to a lucrative extension to keep him in Los Angeles.