Austin Reaves decision could have big implications for LeBron James' future with Lakers

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James. Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

Austin Reaves decision could have big implications for LeBron James' future with Lakers

By Clark Dalton | Last updated Jun 24, 2026 1:21 PM ET

The Los Angeles Lakers continue to signal they're prioritizing building around guard Luka Doncic, not forward LeBron James.

On Wednesday, the Lakers and guard Austin Reaves agreed to a four-year, $185M max contract, keeping him in L.A. The deal includes a player option for the final season (2029-30).

Reaves' new deal will gobble a significant chunk of the Lakers' salary cap. As a result, they may not have enough room to re-sign James, who's entering free agency this offseason, at their desired price.

Why Austin Reaves contract makes it more difficult for Lakers to keep LeBron James

Spotrac contributor Keith Smith outlined the salary-cap numbers on X. Per his estimations, the cap hit in the first year of the deal will be $41.3M and eventually balloon to $51.2M during the 2029-30 season if Reaves activates his option.

The Lakers and Austin Reaves agreed to a four-year maximum contract his new $185M contract. Here's how that deal will look:

26-27: $41.3M
27-28: $44.6M
28-29: $47.9M
29-30: $51.2M (player option)

Reaves' deal will get signed after the Lakers use their cap space, should they…
— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) June 24, 2026

Reaves intends to sign his deal after the Lakers exhaust their cap space, giving them more opportunities to improve the roster this summer. His plan to wait on signing a new contract gives L.A. more financial flexibility, but it may not be enough to re-sign James.

James made $52.6M in base salary last season. He could command a similar deal next season. Spotrac estimates his cap hold is $59.5M. Cap holds are placeholders on teams' cap sheets for pending free agents and unsigned draft picks. They prevent clubs from circumventing the salary cap.

The Lakers would have less room to spend on other free agents if they gave James that deal. If he were willing to take a pay cut, that concern would be erased. However, it remains unclear if he wants to. The 22-time All-Star is still evaluating his options.

James, who turns 42 on Dec. 30, may have been waiting to see what the Lakers do before making a decision. Now that they've agreed to sign Reaves, 28, that will help determine his plans.

Taking the keys of the franchise from "The King" and handing them to Doncic makes sense for the Lakers. James remains one of the best players in the NBA after averaging 20.9 points per game last season and leading the team to the second round of the playoffs. That said, he's nearing the end of his career, unlike Doncic and Reaves, who are both in their primes.

Doncic, 27, led the NBA in scoring (33.5 PPG) during the regular season this past season. Reaves, meanwhile, logged a career-high 23.3 PPG.

James leaving L.A. has seemed plausible for months now. It now feels even more likely.

Clark Dalton

Clark Dalton is a 2022 journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He gained experience in sports media over the past seven years — from live broadcasting and creating short films to podcasting and producing. In college, he wrote for The Daily Texan. He loves sports and enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping.

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