Austin Reaves' $30M+ Payday Puts Lakers' Future in Flux

An NBA executive tells ESPN that Austin Reaves is playing himself into a major payday — possibly as much as a four-year, $180 million deal if he leaves the Lakers — though a five-year contract with a lower average could keep him in Los Angeles. The exec noted, "I don't think he's going to quite keep up this pace because LeBron will take away touches, but he is good and the Lakers intend to keep him and he intends to stay, so my guess is it gets done." Reaves has erupted while LeBron is sidelined, and the club faces real cap math if they pay two stars top dollars. Merlin sees a crossroads: Reaves will likely decline his $14.9M option and test the market, forcing the Lakers to choose between a big AAV or trading a rising asset before February. His current surge makes him both a future cornerstone and a lucrative trade chip.