The Lakers have made it clear they want Austin Reaves’ NBA career to continue in purple and gold.
And Reaves’ latest comments make it appear he wants the same.
During a recent interview with TMZ Sports at LAX, Reaves was asked a variety of questions, including whether he wanted to “run it back” with the Lakers.
He quickly responded, “run it back” — suggesting he wants to return to the Lakers during an offseason in which Reaves could be an unrestricted free agent for the first time.
Reaves will become a free agent this summer once he declines his $14.9 million player option for 2026-27.
He alluded to already having made that decision when asked whom the Lakers should go after during the offseason.
“I don’t know, I don’t get into all that,” Reaves said. “I’ve got to sign first … free agent.”
Reaves is expected to get a significant pay raise with his next contract — whether it’s with the Lakers or another team.
He’ll be eligible to sign a maximum five-year contract worth $241 million with the Lakers or a four-year, $178 million deal with another team.
Rob Pelinka, Lakers president of basketball operations/general manager, made it clear during a postseason media availability the franchise wants Reaves back.
“He started his journey here as a Laker and has made it very clear to us that he wants his journey to continue as a Laker,” Pelinka said. “And we feel the same way. We want his odyssey to continue to unfold in the purple and gold. There’s rules and timing to all of that, but I think both sides have made it abundantly clear that we want to work something out where he continues his prolific career here.”
The 27-year-old Reaves is coming off averaging a career-high 23.2 points (49% shooting, 36% on 3-pointers), 5.5 assists, 4.7 rebounds and 1.1 steals during the 2025-26 regular season.
He averaged 20 points, 5.8 assists and four rebounds in six of the Lakers’ 10 playoff games after returning from a strained left oblique that sidelined him for the final five games of the regular season and first four playoff games.
Reaves also wants superstar forward LeBron James, who’ll also be an unrestricted free agent this offseason, to also return to the Lakers for a ninth season and record-extending 24th NBA season.
Which lines up with comments Reaves made after the Lakers’ 2025-26 season ended with the four-game sweep by the Thunder in the Western Conference semifinals.
“Man, it would mean the world to me,” Reaves said. “I don’t know anything different. My rookie year, I had no idea what the hell was going on, and he basically took me under his wing and [gave] me every opportunity that I could ever ask for, trusted me. But further than the court, like building a real friendship — he obviously is into golf now, so we’re a lot closer. It’s been super fun, and I hope to continue to do that. He’s taught me a lot. I owe him a lot for my career. He’s given me confidence every single day.”
