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Ex-NBA Star Predicts Austin Reaves Is in for a Massive Payday - 'Who Cares About Winning Until You Get the Bag?' 1 Sep 29, 2025; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15) during media day at UCLA Health Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

Ex-NBA Star Predicts Austin Reaves Is in for a Massive Payday – ‘Who Cares About Winning Until You Get the Bag?’

Originally posted on Hardwood Heroics | By Reign Amurao | Last updated Oct 28, 2025 11:42 PM ET

Austin Reaves has performed well for the Los Angeles Lakers in their past two games. Without LeBron James or Luka Doncic, the undrafted guard has stepped up his game. In the first game where he was the lone star, he erupted for a career-high, 51 points, against the Sacramento Kings, in a 127-120 win. He followed it up with a 41 points in a 122-108 defeat against the Portland Trail Blazers.

In the past two games, he’s recorded 92 points, and have played an all-around brand of basketball. This could help his case next summer, since Reaves will be eligible to sign a contract extension. This past summer, the 6-foot-5 guard declined a four-year, $89.2 million contract.

After declining the deal, Reaves could potentially sign an even better contract with the Lakers after the 2025-26 season ends. Former NBA star Jeff Teague is a big believer that the starting guard could have a massive payday soon.

Teague touched on Austin Reaves’ new deal during the recent episode of “Club 520 Podcast” on Tuesday.

“He’s going to hit free agency. It’s about to get wicked. He’s about to get $175 [million],” the former Atlanta Hawks star said. “I want the most money. I never cared about contending. I just wanted the money. Who cares about winning until you get the bag? I’m a real person. I tell the truth. I don’t do all that fake s—. You want to get paid first.”

Reaves is in the third year of his $53.8 million contract. If he doesn’t sign a new deal with the Lakers, he’ll have the option to exercise his $14.8 million player option. Given his recent play, the star shooting guard could get a bigger deal next summer.

What is Austin Reaves’ next contract with the Lakers?

Mar 26, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15) shoots the ball while Indiana Pacers forward Jarace Walker (5) defends in the second half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

Austin Reaves could be an unrestricted free agent next summer — if he doesn’t exercise his player option. But it doesn’t look like the Lakers fans want him to leave the franchise. He’s become a fan favorite within the fanbase with how he’s gradually improved throughout his career.

This leads to the question of how much Reaves could potentially make in his next deal with LA. There are reports that the Lakers guard is eligible to sign a maximum contract. His new deal could start at $41.3 million. The maximum it could get would be $54.6 million. A new deal could total to a five-year, $240 million contract.

With how better he’s been playing as of late, there’s a chance that Reaves could remain with the Lakers on a new deal. He’s expected to decline his player option and take his chance on potentially signing a bigger contract.