The Brooklyn Nets are making ready to make some of the aggressive strikes of the 2026 offseason, with a reported plan to pursue Austin Reaves utilizing a four-year, $178.5 million contract supply ought to the Los Angeles Lakers guard attain free company.
In keeping with Dan Woike of The Athletic, Brooklyn is predicted to emerge as a critical suitor for Reaves, whereas rival executives across the league consider the 28-year-old might command a wage exceeding $40 million yearly. The report provides one other layer to what’s shortly turning into one of many NBA’s most carefully watched contract conditions.
Reaves is getting into the ultimate stage of a four-year, $53.8 million deal and holds a participant choice value practically $15 million for the upcoming season. His efficiency over the previous 12 months has considerably elevated his market worth, inserting him in place for a significant payday.
The Lakers can supply essentially the most profitable bundle. Brad Turner reported on Spectrum SportsNet that Reaves could become eligible for a five-year, $241 million extension if he remains in Los Angeles. Rival groups resembling Brooklyn could be restricted to a four-year framework projected round $178 million.
The monetary curiosity displays Reaves’ manufacturing in the course of the 2025-26 season. Earlier than accidents interrupted his marketing campaign, he averaged profession highs of 23.3 factors, 5.5 assists and 4.7 rebounds throughout 51 video games. He additionally shot 49.0 % from the sector and 36.0 % from three-point vary whereas taking over a considerably expanded offensive function.
His emergence grew to become particularly essential after Luka Doncic joined the Lakers. Reaves and Doncic fashioned the staff’s main backcourt pairing, dealing with a lot of the half-court creation tasks for a Los Angeles staff that completed 53-29, gained the Pacific Division and secured the No. 4 seed within the Western Convention.
Regardless of that regular-season success, the Lakers’ postseason ended abruptly. Los Angeles defeated Houston 4-2 in the first round earlier than being swept 4-0 by the Oklahoma City Thunder within the Western Convention semifinals. The disappointing end has intensified scrutiny on the franchise’s long-term roster building.
For Brooklyn, pursuing Reaves would characterize a dramatic try to speed up a rebuild. The Nets completed 20-62, the second-worst file within the Japanese Convention, and ended the season 40 video games behind conference-leading Detroit. Including a participant coming off a 23-point-per-game season would instantly present the franchise with a confirmed offensive centerpiece.
