Austin Reaves has secured the biggest contract ever given to an undrafted player in NBA history, but as the Lakers enter a new era, the guard says his focus is already on what’s next.
Reaves recently finalized a four-year, $180 million contract with Los Angeles after initially agreeing to a four-year, $185 million extension. The slight adjustment gives the Lakers greater financial flexibility moving forward while cementing Reaves as one of the franchise’s cornerstones alongside Luka Doncic, according to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin.
Despite the milestone, Reaves made it clear his priorities haven’t changed.
“I wanted to be a Laker the whole time,” Reaves said. “We had that period from when the season ended until the first [of July] to get something done, and we figured it out before then. My heart was in L.A. the whole time.”
The Lakers will look very different this season following LeBron James’ departure after eight years with the franchise, leaving Reaves to take on a much larger leadership role.
“Everybody knows it’s a completely different team,” Reaves said. “There’s going to be different things asked of different people, and if that’s what JJ [Redick] and the staff asks of me, I’ll do it to the best of my ability.”
While the roster has changed, one relationship remains central to the Lakers’ future.
“Luka,” Reaves said, “I mean, he’s one of my best friends on this planet. Talk to him almost every single day. He sends me videos of his golf swing and asks me what he can do to get better, and I tell him I’m not a coach.”
Los Angeles also added several new faces this offseason, including Walker Kessler, Quentin Grimes, Collin Sexton and Sandro Mamukelashvili, with the group meeting in Las Vegas ahead of training camp.
Reaves is particularly excited to reunite with Kessler after the pair previously represented Team USA together.
“He’s a big, goofy dude that just enjoys life and has fun,” Reaves said of the 7-foot-2 center. “Obviously, you see what he does basketball-wise and how he impacts the game. He’s good defensively, good in the pocket. Just a smart player. So I’m happy to have him on the team and get to play with him.”
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