Will definitely become a free agent next summer, and the Lakers have to send off the backcourt player this summer?

According to NBA salary expert Eric Pincus, Los Angeles Lakers backcourt star Austin Reaves will almost certainly refuse to execute the $14.9 million player option for the 2026-27 season next summer, and he is basically sure to become a full free agent next summer and seek a long-term contract with a starting salary of $30 million. According to relevant regulations of the CBA (Collective Bargaining Agreement), Reeves can sign an early contract renewal with the Lakers for up to four years this summer with a total amount of US$89.5 million, and the starting salary of this contract is only US$19.5 million. Obviously, the amount of this contract is very different from Reeves' ability and performance, as well as his own assessment of his salary for his new contract.

Reeves previously completed a contract renewal with the Lakers in the summer of 2023. At that time, he signed a four-year contract renewal with a total amount of $53.83 million. The contract has two years left to expire. Reeves' salary in the 2025-26 season was only US$13.94 million, and Reeves' salary in the 2026-27 season was only US$14.9 million, and it is also a player option. Judging from Reeves' performance, the salary on this contract is obviously much lower than his ability and his role in the team. So there is no problem with Pincus's statement, Reeves will definitely choose not to execute the player option next summer and become a full free agent, and he will get a big contract in the market that is much higher than his current salary.

In the NBA regular season this season, Reeves played 73 games in 82 games, averaging 34.9 minutes per game, averaging 20.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, 5.8 assists, 1.1 steals and 0.3 blocks, and 2.4 turnovers and 2.1 fouls, shooting percentage of 46%, three-point shooting percentage of 37.7%, and free throw shooting percentage of 87.7%. During the playoffs, Reeves made a total of 5 appearances, averaging 39.3 minutes per game, with averaging 16.2 points, 5.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 0.2 steals, and 0.6 blocks. He also had 2.8 turnovers and 3.6 fouls. His shooting percentage was 41.1%, three-point shooting percentage was 31.9%, and his free throw shooting percentage was 85.7%.

For the Lakers, the situation is actually very clear. Reeves is the player with the highest trading value at the moment. By sending Reeves away, the Lakers can also strengthen their competitiveness in other positions. And the most important thing is that it may be the time for Reeves to have a relatively high transaction value, because his contract next season can still be regarded as a "child labor contract". If the Lakers don't send Reeves away this summer, his deal value will only get lower and lower as his contract gets closer to expiration. In this case, maybe it is inevitable for the Lakers to send Reeves away?