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Lakers Star Reveals Future Goals Amid Offseason Rumors

Originally posted on Last Word On Sports
By Jordan Pagkalinawan | Last updated Jun 16, 2025 6:37 PM ET

Lakers standout guard Austin Reaves has captured fans’ attention with regards to his future with the franchise. The 27-year-old guard is coming off the best season of his career and now faces an intriguing dilemma: sign a four-year extension or enter free agency next summer.

While co-hosting an annual basketball camp alongside his brother, Reaves offered his perspective on the Lakers’ future and his own, providing an encouraging update for fans who want him to stick around beyond next season.

Lakers Star Reveals Future Goals Amid Offseason Rumors

Reaves Wants to Retire a Laker

In an interview with Arkansas news outlet KAIT, Reaves reiterated his goal to stay in LA, though acknowledged he doesn’t control the situation.

“At this point, it’s not in my control. I want to be in LA. If they want to trade me, then we’ll start something new somewhere else. But like I said, I want to be in LA. I want to play my whole career in LA. I love it there. I love the fans. Love the weather, love the golf. And obviously the Lakers is the best organization in basketball. So, I don’t pay attention to [trade rumors]. I keep my head down, work, and I feel like that’s one of the reasons I’m where I’m at.”

Reaves’ ambition of donning purple and gold for life is laudable, as he hopes to become the seventh Laker to spend his entire career with the franchise (Kobe Bryant, Jerry West, Elgin Baylor, Magic Johnson, Michael Cooper and James Worthy). President and GM Rob Pelinka has affirmed his confidence in the Lakers’ big three, and previous reports indicated the team’s reluctance to part ways with Reaves.

Suffice it to say, Reaves and the Lakers appear to be on the same page. However, the next few months and upcoming season will be vital for the partnership between both sides.

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Reaves’ Trade Value in Question After Major Offseason Move

After the Magic and Grizzlies agreed to a head-scratching haul for Desmond Bane, some Laker fans and writers began to question what Reaves could net if he were ever placed on the trade market.

Spoiler alert: it wouldn’t be the same.

Reaves will earn $13.9 million next season on an expiring contract before crunch time comes next summer. Bane’s current deal won’t wrap up until 2029, when he earns—you’re reading this right—$44.8 million.

The Magic guard’s exorbitant contract compared with Reaves’ team-friendly deal is the main reason why fans shouldn’t expect a king’s ransom if the Lakers dealt their third best player. If anything, as Silver Screen & Roll’s Jacob Rude argues, it should be an incentive to hang onto Reaves and re-sign him to a long-term contract. Current rumors suggest that deal won’t come right away. But even if fans must wait for Reaves to put pen to paper once more, there’s no doubt it will be a worthy investment.

Reaves has quite a while to decide on his future plans. That choice, along with rumors of Luka Doncic’s extension and LeBron James’ future, make this offseason one that could test the purple and gold’s patience.

This article first appeared on Last Word On Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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