The Los Angeles Lakers are still without franchise star Luka Doncic while he recovers from injury. While he isn’t expected back in the early games of the Lakers’ second-round playoff series against the Oklahoma City Thunder, that opens the door for LeBron James and Austin Reaves to continue leading the team for the time being.
James has already had a strong start to the playoffs, but Reaves, who has played just two games since returning from an injury of his own, has left a bit on the table.
However, with Doncic still out, Reaves, who will be a free agent this offseason, now has a chance in the spotlight to both prove his value to the Lakers and the rest of the NBA, as it relates to him getting a max contract extension this summer.
Luka Doncic Injury Is Good News For Austin Reaves In Free Agency
GettyHOUSTON, TEXAS – APRIL 24: Luka Doncic #77 and Austin Reaves #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers react during the game against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on April 24, 2026 in Houston, Texas.
The Lakers are reportedly expected to offer Reaves a deal close to five years for $240 million as a free agent this offseason. But with his recent injury history and lingering questions about his fit next to Doncic, critics have been clear that Los Angeles offering him a max extension might not be the best move.
Reaves has had a career-year, and while he might not be a perfect fit next to Doncic, it appears that he is part of the team’s long-term future. Still, with the Slovenian star out to start the upcoming series against the Thunder, according to ESPN, Reaves has the chance to prove why he deserves a new deal to stay with the Lakers for at least the rest of the decade.
“With Luka Doncic remaining out with what certainly looks like a more severe hamstring injury than the Lakers had hoped, Reaves has a prime opportunity to boost his value in the series against the Thunder,” Brian Windhorst and Tim McMahon wrote.
Additionally, while Reaves put up a career-high 23.3 points in the regular season, he only averaged 18.5 points in his two playoff games against the Houston Rockets. Now, against the Thunder, however, the 27-year-old will once again have an opportunity to prove why he deserves to get a new deal to stay in Los Angeles next to Doncic for the future.
“The best path for him is probably to come off this [oblique] injury, have a great showing against the Thunder and apply pressure to the Lakers to keep him at all costs,” a Western Conference general manager told the ESPN insiders.
Questions About An Austin Reaves Max Contract Extension
GettyLOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 25: Austin Reaves #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts for a LA Clippers foul during the first half at Crypto.com Arena on November 25, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
With how well Reaves has played this season, despite the injuries, he’s rumored to be turning down his lowly player option to get a five-year, $240 million deal from the Lakers, the most any team could offer him in free agency.
Other franchises hoping to land his services can only offer $179 million this summer, but as he’s said in the past, Reaves hopes to stay in Los Angeles for the long-term.
But still, questions remain on his fit next to Doncic, if that is the direction the Lakers will take this offseason. Writing for Bleacher Report, Grant Hughes has highlighted multiple aspects that could give Los Angeles some hesitation when deciding on a new Reaves contract.
“The Lakers don’t want to offend Reaves, who played like a first-option star for chunks of the early season, but they also need to avoid spending more than necessary,” he wrote. “All they really need to do to beat the market is top the best offer another team can make.”
“Even that might be a little rich for a player who feels duplicative with Dončić around. A low-ball contract could cause Reaves to consider other options.”
Hughes offered similar thoughts in another article about Reaves’ upcoming free agency status and impending contract extension with the Lakers, highlighting his recent injuries and fit next to Doncic as a reason why making him one of the highest-paid players in the NBA might not be as straightforward right now compared to how he started the season.
Regardless, with Doncic injured and out for at least the first few games of the Lakers vs Thunder series, Reaves will have a new chance to prove why he deserves max money.
Game 1 of the series tips off at 5:30 pm PST on Tuesday, May 5, and will be live on NBC and Peacock.
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