Despite being on a roster with future Hall of Famers LeBron James and Luka Dončić, Austin Reaves is the talk of Los Angeles after his career-high 51-point performance in the Lakers’ 127-120 win over the Kings.
After turning down a four-year, $89.2 million extension this summer, Reaves is in the final year of his four-year, $54 million contract with the Lakers and has been a big topic of discussion in NBA circles over the last few months as he is set to become a free agent in 2026.
If Reaves can keep averaging 25 points and 10 assists per game like he has done so far this season, the Lakers will be hard-pressed to re-sign the guy who has developed into Dončić’s backcourt running mate.
Kendrick Perkins Puts Lakers Front Office on Notice
Count NBA analyst and NBA champion Kendrick Perkins among the many people who are very interested to see how the Lakers can keep the sharp-shooting Reaves on their roster.
Games like tonight is why Austin Reaves thought 4 years 90mm ain’t enough… and damnit he’s right!
Almost a 50 point triple double and a W. Lakers better figure it the hell out.
— Kendrick Perkins (@KendrickPerkins) October 27, 2025
“Games like tonight is why Austin Reaves thought 4 years 90mm ain’t enough and damnit he’s right!” Perkins tweeted on X live during the game. “Almost a 50-point triple double and a W. Lakers better figure it the hell out.”
The undrafted guard out of Oklahoma from Arkansas is trending in NBA circles tonight as he becomes the fifth Laker this century to put up 50 points in a game, joining the likes of Laker greats Shaquille O’Neal, Kobe Bryant, James, and Anthony Davis. Even more impressive, Reaves is the only person on the list who isn’t a top 75 player in NBA history.
JJ Redick Knows How Important Reaves Is to the Lakers Success
While some people might be surprised by Reaves’ historic output, don’t put Lakers head coach JJ Redick on the list.
JJ Redick on Austin Reaves’ 51-point performance tonight:
“He was fantastic… scored the basketball at an incredible level.” https://t.co/eexpLy9QNl pic.twitter.com/GONOkWrs3n
— NBA (@NBA) October 27, 2025
“This is a small-time kid from Arkansas, who went undrafted, who last year averaged a 20-ball in the NBA and just had a 50-ball,” Redick said in his postgame press conference after the win over the Kings.
“These moments are incredible for him, his teammates see that, and I know as a coaching staff we see that. He just lives in the moment and he’s ready for every single moment that comes.”
Reaves’ readiness cannot be understated enough, as he gave us a small sample size of what he’s capable of last season by averaging 31.5 points, 10.5 assists, and 6.8 rebounds in the four games where both James and Dončić were absent.
Just like he did Sunday night against the Kings, Reaves put on a then-career-high show-stopping performance against the Pacers last season. With the Lakers’ superstars on the bench in street clothes, Reaves scored 45 points on 14 of 26 field goals (including four three-pointers), 13 of 13 free throws, seven rebounds, seven assists, and three steals to grab a much-needed victory.
If the early-season results are any indication, Reaves is primed and ready to have a career season in a contract year, barring injury. Which leads to this question: if Reaves keeps playing at this level and makes his first NBA All-Star team, does the Lakers front office, led by general manager Rob Pelinka, value him as a $40 million a year player?
