Report: Lakers’ Reaves to decline player option, enter free agency this off-season

There will reportedly be a big fish on the market this off-season.

Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves is expected to decline his $14.9-million player option this summer and enter unrestricted free agency, sources told ESPN’s Dave McMenamin on Tuesday.

Reaves is in the midst of a fantastic season, averaging a career-high 23.5 points on 49.1 per cent shooting. He’s also adding in 4.7 rebounds, 5.6 assists and 1.1 steals per game.

The 27-year-old is eligible to sign a five-year, $241 million max contract this off-season.

Reaves has developed greatly for the Lakers. After going undrafted in 2021, he is on pace to average 20-plus points per game for the second consecutive season and has become a regular starter in L.A.

The Lakers, who sit third in the West, are headed towards a tumultuous summer with many players heading towards free agency. Of those entering the open market, LeBron James is atop the list after spending the last eight seasons in L.A.