Los Angeles Lakers' Austin Reaves Set to Sign Historic 4-Year, $185M Max Contract The Los Angeles Lakers have reached an agreement with guard Austin Reaves to extend his career with the franchise through a four-year, $185 million maximum contract, sources confirmed to ESPN’s Shams Charania. The deal includes a player option for the final season in 2029-30, marking the most lucrative contract in NBA history for an undrafted player. Reaves, 28, declined his $14.9 million player option for the 2023-24 season to facilitate this new agreement, which is projected to make him the highest-paid player in league history for an undrafted athlete. The negotiations, which spanned the past 10 days, involved Lakers ownership and front-office representatives meeting with Reaves and his agents, Aaron Reilly and Reggie Berry of AMR Agency, at the team’s practice facility shortly after the NBA Finals. The discussions included personal gestures such as customized “AR”-initialed pillows and Reaves’ favorite country music, reflecting the Lakers’ commitment to securing his long-term future. A source close to Reaves described his emotional reaction as “great relief,” emphasizing his desire to remain with the team and contribute to its success. Reaves’ return to the Lakers is a significant milestone for the franchise, as the contract is structured to align with the team’s financial projections. The deal does not affect the Lakers’ cap flexibility this summer, as the team’s projected salary space already accounts for Reaves’ $20.9 million cap hold. He will sign the contract last, after the Lakers exhaust their available cap space, and will earn $41.3 million in the first year. This move ensures Reaves remains under the team’s control for the next four seasons, with the player option allowing him to decide his future in 2029-30.#shams_charania #los_angeles_lakers #rob_pelinka #austin_reaves #amr_agency
