Would Nets OFFER Austin Reaves A MAX CONTRACT? What is TOO MUCH for Lakers to Pay?

Would Nets OFFER Austin Reaves A MAX CONTRACT? What is TOO MUCH for Lakers to Pay?

June 1, 2026



Would Nets OFFER Austin Reaves A MAX CONTRACT? What is TOO MUCH for Lakers to Pay?

The Lakers have some hard choices to make this summer. And while the idea of bringing back Austin Reaves isn’t necessarily one of them — unless a better alternative presents itself, a relative long shot, the Lakers don’t have any viable way to replace Reaves if he goes — there could very well be some uncomfortable conversations about how much it costs to get the deal done.

Tim Bontemps of ESPN reports that many NBA insiders expect Reaves’s deal to come in at or above $40 mil a year, as opposed to, say, $35 million. That’s not a trivial difference, and could cause the Lakers a little pain as they try to build a high-end contender as quickly as they can around Luka Doncic.

He notes that teams like Brooklyn and Chicago are in position to make very significant offers, much closer to the maximum Reaves can get under CBA rules. That would require Reaves to enter situations where titles aren’t part of the equation, but if the money was that much better, and maybe if he felt the Lakers lowballed him, could he go that direction?

It feels like Reaves wants to come back. He’s said he’s not interested in squeezing as much as he can from the team. The Lakers want him to return. What remains to be seen is the number. What’s something the Lakers, and Reaves, could both feel good about?

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

Everydayer Club
If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub

Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!

5-Hour ENERGY
Ignite your taste buds with the flavor of the summer. Get a Firework Freeze 5-hour ENERGY®️ shot today. For more information, visit https://FiveHourEnergy.com.

Betterhelp
This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp.Sign up and get 10% off at https://BetterHelp.com/LOCKEDONNBA.

KALSHI
For a limited time, download the Kalshi app and use code LOCKEDON to get ten dollars when you trade ten. Kalshi. Trade on anything. 

DoorDash
From tipoff to overtime, stay in your bag and order on DoorDash.Get snacks, drinks, gear — whatever gets you through the season — delivered right to your door.DoorDash. In your bag all season long.

Quo
Make this the year where no opportunity – and no cutsomer – slips away.Try Quo for free plus get 20% off your first 6 months when you go to http://Quo.com/lockedonnba.

Indeed
Listeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at http://Indeed.com/podcast

Gametime
Today’s episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDON for $20 off your first purchase. Terms and conditions apply.

FanDuel
Today’s episode is brought to you by FanDuel.Right now new customers can bet just five dollars and get two-hundred and fifty dollars in bonus bets if your first bet wins.Visit https://FANDUEL.COMto get started — Play Your Game.

FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms
🎧 https://lockedonpodcasts.com/podcasts/locked-on-lakers/

Locked On NBA League-Wide: Every Team, Fantasy, Draft, WNBA & More
🎧 https://lockedonpodcasts.com/leagues/nba

Subscribe to the Locked On Lakers Podcast
📲 https://linktr.ee/LockedOnLakers
📲 Follow the Kamenetzkys: https://twitter.com/KamBrothers

#Lakers #LosAngelesLakers #LebronJames #AnthonyDavis #NBA

View Comments (16)

  2. AUSTIN SHOULD NOT TAKE METS MAX OFFER.
    AUSTIN SHOULD ASK FOR A NO-TRADE LESS THAN MAX DEAL WITH LAKERS, HE LOVES THE LAKERS, THE CITY, WEATHER, BEACHES, GOLF COURSES, AND PLAYING WITH LUKA.
    MONEY ISN'T HAPPINESS.

  6. There’s no way he should get over 40 million and it’s insane that these guys keep pumping Reaves up like he’s a real #2 type of player. Let him walk to Brooklyn and try to see if a sign & trade. It’s Austin agent pumping up this BS

  7. I hope the Nets & 2 or 3 other teams offer him the max if that will eventually lead the Lakers to trading him because no way can a team with aspirations of a deep playoff run have 2 starting guards collecting $40 mill per & neither can guard a lamp pole.

  13. teams like Brooklyn want to avoid relegation zone. I don’t think you guys are factoring the lottery reform in the analysis. Teams will want to avoid being bottom tier, no doubt about it

  14. I’m offering Austin 5 years $175m. Descending contract. $35m average. If he says no I’m letting him go and I’m signing Ayo for $20m to replace him. Better fit next to Luka anyway.

  15. Brian stop talking about them running it because I’m done. I hope Luka leaves and goes back to Dallas so that Jeanie and Rob get a taste of their own medicine if that’s all they do. If the team is not good enough how do you keep the same shit over and over and over again? Isn’t that the definition of insanity? Do we even give a shit that Luka is here????? A good GM wouldn’t make the excuses Brian and Pelinka wanna make. You have cap space you have teams that need help with getting off really good players like there is no excuse!

Comments are closed.