Austin Reaves Cuts Salary for Lakers’ 2027 Move

Record‑Breaking Deal Turned Into a Modest Reduction

Austin Reaves initially secured a four‑year, $185 million contract, the richest ever for an undrafted player. The Lakers later reshaped the agreement, trimming the total to $180 million. According to Spotrac’s Keith Smith, Reaves will earn $41.2 million in 2026‑27 and $42.9 million in 2027‑28—only $1.6 million less than a full second‑year raise.

His salary will drop from 25.3 % of the salary cap in the next season to 24.7 % the year after, a small dip that still preserves cap room. The same approach was used on Sandro Mamukelashvili, whose pay fell from $13 million to $12.4 million for the following season.

Why the Lakers Are Saving Cap Space

L.A. wants enough flexibility to activate the full mid‑level exception in the summer of 2027, a move worth more than $15 million. The organization has been active this offseason, adding Walker Kessler in a massive sign‑and‑trade with Utah. Additional new faces include Mamukelashvili, Quentin Grimes, Collin Sexton, Kevon Looney, and Ziaire Williams, who arrived from the Nets.

The roster now sits at 15 players, but the team remains ready to make further tweaks. Bronny James could be let go once LeBron James finalizes his own landing spot for next season.

If Jonathan Kuminga cannot be retained, the Lakers may have to wait until next summer for another big roster change, making the mid‑level exception a valuable tool.

Reaves Navigates Life Without LeBron James

Reaves, an undrafted graduate of Arkansas, was taken under LeBron’s wing in 2021 and later helped onto the Lakers roster with James’s backing. This season will be the first without his former mentor, and the guard admits the transition is still unfolding.

“I don’t know if I’ve honestly processed it yet,” Reaves said. “Starting the season without him being on the team is going to be different for me.” He added that while the adjustment is slow, his respect and love for James remain unchanged.