Lakers are facing competition for Austin Reaves

The Los Angeles Lakers are entering a crucial offseason with Austin Reaves.

After signing a four-year, $54 million deal in 2023, the former undrafted free agent will likely opt out of his contract to pursue a bigger deal.

Reaves is the team's second-best player and building block at the moment, but with LeBron James also slated to hit free agency and likely to demand a max deal, they may have to make a decision.

According to The Athletic's Dan Woike, the Brooklyn Nets will be among several teams looking to significantly increase his pay.

Multiple teams could join the race for Austin Reaves

"Multiple front-office sources around the league, granted anonymity to freely discuss an opposing player, expect Reaves to have interest from the Brooklyn Nets, with a four-year, $178.5 million contract expected to be offered," wrote Woike. "League sources said the Detroit Pistons and Atlanta Hawks are among a group of interested teams that can create space to make competitive offers. Other teams could also emerge."

This situation puts the Lakers at a crossroads. On the one hand, Reaves and Luka Doncic should be the team's pillars for the future.

On the other hand, that would be a lot of money for a player with zero All-Star appearances or career accolades. He's already 28, so he might be closer to his peak, and he's never been — and never will be — a good defender.

That said, they can't afford to just let him walk away in free agency, especially if James also signs elsewhere for the final year — or years — of his career.

The new CBA makes it tougher for teams to stack up big contracts, so they have some big decisions to make. 

It looks like the Lakers' hands are tied and will have no choice but to likely overpay for Reaves. Whatever the case, he's looking at a significant pay raise.