The Los Angeles Lakers may have just stumbled into a franchise-altering storm — and it’s all thanks to Austin Reaves.
LeBron James’ future in purple and gold is suddenly hanging by a thread after Reaves delivered one of the most jaw-dropping performances in modern Lakers history. With LeBron sidelined and Luka Dončić nursing injuries, the undrafted kid from Arkansas just flipped the entire franchise narrative overnight.
The Night Everything Changed
October 26th, 2025. Lakers vs. Kings.
No LeBron. No Luka. Just Reaves — and history.
In what was supposed to be a throwaway early-season game, Reaves unleashed a near-mythic performance: 51 points, 11 rebounds, and 9 assists, leading L.A. to a 127–120 win. He hit 21 of 22 free throws, knocked down his 500th career three-pointer, and became the first Laker since Elgin Baylor in 1963 to post such a stat line.
Then, as if one masterpiece wasn’t enough, Reaves followed it up the next night with 41 points against Portland. Ninety-two points in two games. Suddenly, the kid everyone once viewed as a role player was looking like a future All-Star — or maybe something even bigger.
The Lakers’ New Reality
Through three games, Reaves is averaging 34 points, 9.7 assists, and 7.7 rebounds — MVP numbers. But the real story isn’t just his breakout — it’s the ripple effect it’s having inside the Lakers’ front office.
L.A. now faces a brutal financial and emotional dilemma.
Do they keep LeBron — the legend who put the franchise back on top — or do they hand the keys to a rising star who’s proving he can carry the torch?
The Money Crunch
Reaves is currently one of the biggest bargains in basketball, making just $13.9 million this season in year three of a four-year, $53.8 million deal. But everyone knows he’s opting out of his $14.9 million player option in 2026.
He’s expected to command $30–40 million annually — money that will force the Lakers’ hand. LeBron, meanwhile, is earning $52.6 million this year, but his contract expires after the season. He’ll turn 41 years old before next year’s tip-off.
That’s where things get complicated. The front office knows the team’s future is tied to Luka Dončić, who arrived in February after the blockbuster Anthony Davis trade. Luka is 26, entering his prime, and locked in for three more years. Reaves, at 27, fits that timeline perfectly. LeBron does not.
The Big Question
So, is it wise to keep pouring $50+ million into a 41-year-old LeBron while trying to build a long-term contender around Luka?
Or do the Lakers shift gears — letting go of their legend to lock in Reaves as the co-star for the next decade?
Reaves has already proven he thrives next to Luka, averaging 20.2 points, 5.8 assists, and 4.5 rebounds last season while shooting nearly 38% from deep. He’s the kind of versatile secondary creator Luka’s always needed — think Jalen Brunson or Kyrie Irving, but with even more grit.
But if the Lakers try to pay everyone, the math just doesn’t work. Luka’s $46 million plus Reaves’ potential $35 million plus LeBron’s $50+ million max would swallow nearly the entire salary cap — leaving scraps for the rest of the roster. That’s a formula that’s already failed in Phoenix and Brooklyn.
The Three Roads Ahead
1. Let LeBron Walk, Re-Sign Reaves:
The smart long-term move. Reaves and Luka become the new foundation, and the Lakers regain financial flexibility to chase another star down the road.
2. Keep LeBron, Lose Reaves:
The sentimental choice. You run it back with an aging legend, knowing it’s a short-term play that sacrifices the team’s future.
3. Trade Reaves Before the Deadline:
The cold-blooded business option. If the Lakers know they can’t pay Reaves, they could trade him now to get value — but that would risk alienating fans and even Luka himself.
The 2027 Temptation
Another factor: the 2027 free agency class — potentially the most loaded ever. Nikola Jokić, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Trae Young, Steph Curry, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander — the list goes on. Some inside the Lakers organization reportedly want to keep their books clean for that summer.
But that’s a dangerous gamble. There’s no guarantee those stars will actually hit free agency, and no guarantee any of them will choose L.A.
What Does Reaves Want?
Reaves loves L.A. He’s said repeatedly he wants to stay and is even willing to take a small discount — around $32 million per year instead of pushing for the max. He’s loyal. But he also knows his value has skyrocketed.
The question is whether the Lakers will finally treat him like the star he’s become — or lose him trying to hang on to LeBron for one last run.
The Verdict
It’s time for a changing of the guard in Los Angeles.
The Lakers can’t afford to live in the past. The smart move — both on the court and on the balance sheet — is to build around Luka and Reaves. LeBron has given everything to the franchise, but time waits for no one, not even the greatest of his generation.
Unless LeBron takes a massive pay cut, his Lakers chapter may be over. The torch has officially been passed — not to another superstar via trade or free agency, but to a homegrown, undrafted kid who’s proving he belongs among the best.
LeBron’s reign built the foundation.
Austin Reaves might just be the future.
