‘I want to play my whole career in LA’: Austin Reaves commits to Lakers amid trade rumors

Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves is widely recognized as one of the best young players currently in the National Basketball Association (NBA) and is touted as a cornerstone around whom the franchise will be built once LeBron James retires.

Reaves lived up to the hype and expectations placed on him by both team management and fans, recording the best season of his NBA career in 2024–25. The 27-year-old averaged 20.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 5.8 assists per game in 73 appearances, while shooting 46 percent from the field and 37.7 percent from beyond the arc.

While his performances have been excellent, the Lakers face a complication: Reaves is currently on a bargain contract and is eligible this summer for a four-year extension worth around $90 million. However, reports suggest he will not sign it and instead plans to opt out next summer to become an unrestricted free agent. It is understood that Reaves is seeking a deal worth over $30 million annually, which might force the Lakers’ hand to consider a trade if he does not commit long-term.

Austin Reaves says he wants to play for the Lakers for his entire career. pic.twitter.com/LKgMQeB3Q8

— LakersSpin (@LakersSpin) June 16, 2025

Reaves, for his part, has dismissed rumors of a potential Lakers exit, stating in an interview that he “wants to play his whole career in Los Angeles.”

“I think the sky’s the limit for us. We are moving in the right direction. Obviously, adding Luka Dončić gives you a Hall of Fame player at such a young age to build around, and then still having LeBron James—with his IQ and still running around at forty years old. But I want to be in Los Angeles. I want to play my whole career in LA. I love it there. I love the fans, the weather, the golf. And obviously, the Lakers are the best organization in basketball. I don’t pay attention to trade rumors. I keep my head down and work, and I feel like that’s one of the reasons I’m where I’m at,” Reaves said.

While Dončić’s arrival midseason led to a resurgence in the Lakers’ fortunes, it’s worth noting that he plays the same position as Reaves. Meanwhile, the team is in dire need of a big man following Anthony Davis’s departure.

It will be intriguing to see how Reaves’ contract situation plays out. Even if he is eager to remain in Los Angeles, he may increasingly feel like a second option behind Dončić in the backcourt—an issue that could weigh on him over time.

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