The Los Angeles Lakers have finalized a four-year, $185 million contract with star guard Austin Reaves, addressing a key offseason priority. This agreement locks in a significant part of the team's backcourt alongside Luka Doncic, setting the stage for the franchise to concentrate on the future of forward LeBron James.
Negotiations between James and the Lakers for a new contract have commenced, with the aim of bringing the NBA's all-time leading scorer back for a potentially record-extending 24th season. While James has not definitively announced his intentions for the upcoming season, league observers widely expect him to continue playing. The Lakers have expressed a strong desire for James to return for his ninth consecutive season with the team. Lakers President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Rob Pelinka stated the organization wants to honor James' contributions and will allow him the time needed to make his decision regarding retirement or another season.
Reaves' new deal, which includes an annual salary exceeding $27 million, does not appear to affect the Lakers' ongoing discussions with James. The team had planned to utilize Reaves' $20.9 million cap hold as an unrestricted free agent to maintain salary cap flexibility during the offseason before officially re-signing him. James' situation was always a consideration within this strategic planning.
Despite James' continued productivity at age 42, industry expectations suggest he may need to accept a pay cut from his $52 million salary in the 2025-26 season. Whether this adjustment comes from the Lakers, who can offer him a higher salary than other teams, or a different franchise remains uncertain. Reports indicate that for James to be part of a championship-contending roster, a salary in the range of $25-30 million for a one-year deal would likely be necessary, a figure that would still allow the Lakers flexibility to build a competitive team around James, Reaves, and Doncic. Analytical models have projected contract values for James ranging from approximately $22.7 million to $31 million, depending on games played and on-court impact.