5-Year, $240 Million Deal! Lakers Plan to Extend Contract, Aiming to Form Superstar Trio

Lakers media "Lakers Daily" reported thatthe Lakers plan to offer Austin Reaves a five-year, $240 million maximum contract extension during this summer's offseason.

Born on May 29, 1998, Austin Reaves was an undrafted selection in the 2021 class and has served the Lakers for five seasons up to now. This season, he has broken out, playing in 39 games with 33 starts, averaging 33.6 minutes per game and delivering 23.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, 5.5 assists, and 1.1 steals per game. His field goal percentage stands at 49.5%, including a single-game performance of 51 points, 11 rebounds, and 9 assists. He is the third guard in NBA history to average over 20 points per game in a season while maintaining a true shooting percentage above 65%.

Aside from his outstanding individual performance, the close relationship and chemistry between Reaves and Luka Dončić are also reasons why the Lakers are inclined to offer him a maximum contract.

Statistics show that this season, when LeBron James is absent and both Dončić and Reaves are playing together, the Lakers' performance is as follows:

Record: 10 wins, 2 losses; Offensive efficiency: 119.6; Defensive efficiency: 111.9; Net efficiency rating: +7.7.

Meanwhile, sources indicatethat once the Lakers finalize the contract extension with Reaves, they will actively pursue Giannis Antetokounmpo.During this summer's offseason, the Lakers can offer up to three first-round picks to the Milwaukee Bucks as trade assets.

Regarding the 41-year-old LeBron James? Various signs suggest that his eight-year tenure with the Lakers is likely coming to an end.

This veteran superstar, in his contract year this season with a salary of $52.63 million, has played 44 games so far, averaging 33.1 minutes per game with 21.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, 7 assists, and 1.1 steals per game, and a shooting percentage of 50.4%.

Most external opinions believe that James will return to the Cleveland Cavaliers this summer to conclude his career where it began, joining a star-studded lineup with James Harden, Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen, fighting for the championship one last time to achieve a perfect final chapter.

Nothing lasts forever, even the highest mountain or the longest river.