Austin Reaves has become one of the NBA’s biggest success stories, but keeping him in Los Angeles may not be as straightforward as the Lakers hoped.
With free agency approaching, several teams are expected to explore the possibility of landing the standout guard after the best season of his career. Both the Brooklyn Nets and Detroit Pistons are among the teams monitoring Reaves’ situation closely.
Despite the growing interest, many around the league still believe the Lakers remain in the strongest position to retain him.
“The Lakers are widely expected to re-sign Reaves,” according to NBA insider Marc Stein.
Stein noted that Reaves’ strong connection to Los Angeles and his developing partnership with Luka Doncic continue to be viewed as major factors working in the Lakers’ favor.
Still, outside teams have plenty of reasons to make a serious push.
Reaves is expected to decline his $14.9 million player option and enter unrestricted free agency after producing career-best numbers across the board. Last season, the 28-year-old averaged 23.3 points, 5.5 assists and 4.7 rebounds while cementing himself as one of the Lakers’ most important offensive weapons.
Brooklyn has long been considered the biggest threat to lure Reaves away from Los Angeles. Previous reports linked the Nets to a potential four-year contract worth up to $178.5 million, though Stein reported there are indications Brooklyn may favor preserving future flexibility through shorter-term deals rather than aggressively chasing top free agents this summer.
Detroit has also surfaced as a possible destination. Reaves would fit naturally alongside Cade Cunningham and the Pistons’ young core, but Stein reported the organization is expected to focus more heavily on trade opportunities while also preparing for future extensions involving Jalen Duren and Ausar Thompson.
That uncertainty leaves Los Angeles cautiously optimistic.
Reaves has transformed from an undrafted signing into one of the franchise’s foundational pieces. His ability to create offense, score efficiently and thrive next to elite talent has made him an ideal running mate for Doncic.