According to multiple reports, the Los Angeles Lakers were informed by Austin Reaves that he is not signing their proposed extension offer for $90 million. He will bet on himself this season to prove he’s worth more – whether that’s from the Lakers or another organization.

Reaves is in the final year of his contract, which means he will be an unrestricted free agent for next year’s offseason. The third option for Los Angeles is close to finishing his four-year, $54 million contract he signed back in 2023.

Next offseason, competing with the rest of the league, the Lakers can offer him a max of $246.7 million over five years. This has been confirmed by ESPN.

Despite having the opportunity to test himself out in free agency next offseason, Reaves has said he wants to remain loyal to the team that gave him a shot.

“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,” Reaves told K8 News. “And obviously the Lakers are the best organization in basketball.”

According to multiple reports, the Los Angeles Lakers have no interest in trading Austin Reaves anywhere, unless it means securing a top-tier center to compliment LeBron James and Luka Doncic.

Rob Pelinka’s team have been eyeballing Brooklyn Nets’ Nic Claxton and Dallas Mavericks’ Daniel Gafford. Both individuals who can play both sides of the court and become a lob threat, which is a special request from Doncic.

In 2026, Reaves can become an unrestricted free agent, as he’s expected not to sign an extension due to him believing he is worth more than what the Lakers can offer him.

The max extension Los Angeles can give Reaves is a four-year, $89.2 million deal. If he decides to opt out of $53 million player option and seek free agency, then he could command a max deal around $180-$200 million.

It is unclear what one of the best third options in the league is wanting to do, but he is one of the more valuable pieces on Pelinka’s roster. Outside of him, the leader of the front office has Dalton Knecht and the 2031 first-round pick.

If the Lakers feel as though their time with Reaves is coming to an end, then it’s reportedly expected of them to trade him to get that coveted center to boost their odds of winning a championship under Doncic.

According to the Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick, after suffering the injury during their win against the Los Angeles Clippers, Austin Reaves will undergo an MRI to determine the severity.

Reaves suffered the calf injury in the first quarter after playing the first nine minutes of the game. It was determined to be “right calf soreness.”

Even with this diagnosis, Los Angeles will have a more in-depth one to be done to make sure it’s just soreness. Redick did not have an update on when the talented guard would make his return to the court.

The 26-year-old, who is one of the better third options in the league currently, is averaging 19.1 points, 6.0 assists, and 4.2 rebounds this season. In the month of February, Reaves averaged 23.5 points and 6.1 assists.

Los Angeles is fourth in the West with a record of 37-21. Their next game is a rematch against the Clippers on Sunday.