Austin Reaves wasn’t supposed to make it big — at least, not according to draft experts. But in true underdog fashion, he proved them all wrong. Not only has he become a key piece for the Los Angeles Lakers, but his bank account is getting bigger every season.
Austin Reaves’ Salary: How Much Does the Lakers Guard Make?
Reaves’ journey with the Lakers is proof of how far hard work and talent can take you. After going undrafted in 2021, he signed a two-way contract with the team on Aug. 3, letting him split time between the Lakers and their NBA G League squad, the South Bay Lakers.
However, it didn’t take long for the front office to realize his value. On Sept. 27, 2021, the Lakers converted his deal into a standard two-year contract worth about $2.49 million total, with an average salary of $1.24 million per year.
In his rookie season (2021–22), Reaves played 61 games and started 19. He averaged 7.3 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game while shooting 45.9% from the field and 31.7% from beyond the arc.
His production jumped in 2022-23, when he put up 13.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game over 64 appearances (22 starts). He also shot a stellar 52.9% from the floor and 39.8% from 3-point range.
By the end of the 2024-25 season, Reaves is projected to have earned roughly $27.98 million in NBA salary alone.
That modest two-year deal he signed in 2021 is a thing of the past. In 2023, Reaves inked a four-year, $53.8 million contract with a player option for the 2026-27 season and a 15% trade bonus.
Here’s how the salary breaks down by year:
- 2023-24: $12,015,150
- 2024-25: $12,976,362
- 2025-26: $13,937,574
- 2026-27: $14,898,786 (player option)
The yearly jump in pay adds roughly $961,212 each season. Not bad for a guy who didn’t hear his name called on draft night.
Reave’s Endorsement Deals and Net Worth
As of now, Reaves’ net worth is estimated at around $4 million, though that figure is only climbing thanks to off-court deals.
He’s landed endorsement partnerships with brands like Lexus, Lemon Daddy, and the Chinese sportswear company Rigorer. Reaves signed with Rigorer in March 2023 to release his own signature shoe, the AR1, which launched in August 2023. In December, he renegotiated his deal into a multi-year, seven-figure partnership that includes annual equity payments, making him a major stakeholder.
The AR1 has dropped in several colorways, including “Stars and Stripes,” “Ice Cream,” and the “Milky Way” edition that hit shelves in December 2023.
Reaves also has a deal with ArenaPlus, a sports entertainment app based in the Philippines, which has helped expand his global brand.