Most undrafted players don't become prominent in the NBA, but Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves is a special case. The Arkansas native signed a two-way contract with the Lakers in August 2021, and he's now on a nine-figure deal.
Reaves averaged 7.3 points on 45.9% shooting (31.7% 3-point) over 23.2 minutes (61 games) as a rookie before averaging 13 points on 52.9% shooting (39.8% 3-point) across 28.8 minutes (64 games) in the 2022-23 campaign. The former Oklahoma Sooner broke out in the playoffs, averaging 16.9 points on 46.4% shooting (44.3% 3-point) with 4.4 rebounds and 4.6 assists over 36.2 minutes (16 games). Los Angeles made it to the conference finals before getting swept by the Denver Nuggets.
Reaves' role on offense progressively grew, and he averaged a career-high 23.3 points on 49% shooting (36% 3-point) with 4.7 rebounds and 5.5 assists across 34.5 minutes (51 games) this past season. The Lakers rewarded the 28-year-old with a four-year, $185 million contract on Wednesday, the largest-ever for an undrafted free agent, per ESPN.
Austin Reaves, Luka Doncic Account for Most of Lakers' Payroll
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Reaves and star guard Luka Doncic are the only players on the team's books for next season with a cap hit of over $15 million, as forwards LeBron James and Rui Hachimura are free agents. James has a cap hold of $59.5 million for next season, while Hachimura is at $27.3 million, per Spotrac. Cap holds are placeholder values for unsigned players.
Meanwhile, Reaves has a player option for the 2029-30 season, while Doncic has one for 2028-29. Doncic is a six-time All-NBA First Team honoree and won his second scoring title this past season, averaging 33.5 points on 47.6% shooting (36.6% 3-point) over 35.8 minutes (64 games). The 27-year-old also finished third in the NBA with 8.3 assists and 22nd with 7.7 rebounds, but missed the playoffs due to injury. The Lakers got swept in the second round by the Oklahoma City Thunder.
However, neither player is known for their defense, and Los Angeles must figure out that side of the ball. It ranked 20th in the NBA with a 115.5 defensive rating last season.
The Lakers traded the No. 25 overall pick and cash considerations to the New York Knicks for Baylor guard Cameron Carr (No. 24) on Tuesday. They don't have any more picks in the 2026 NBA Draft, which concludes with the second round on Wednesday.
