Austin Reaves’ Potential $20M Deal with LA Lakers as Tyler Herro Revolutionizes Guard Salaries | NBA News – Times of India

Austin Reaves’s breakout performance with the Los Angeles Lakers has led to speculation about potential big-league contract numbers tied to his name. The contract of Miami Heat guard, Tyler Herro, which has set a new bar for young scoring guards, has particularly influenced this speculation. As a result, Reaves’s next contract deal is expected to significantly impact Lakers’s financial outlook.

Reaves has been a remarkable success story in NBA, evolving from an undrafted rookie to a vital member of the Lakers’s backcourt. Last season, he scored 20 points, assisted almost six times, and rebounded five times per game while maintaining an efficiency of 46% from the field and 37.7% from deep.

Reaves is currently operating under a four-year, $53.8 million contract that runs through 2025-26. Although he holds a $14.9 million player option for the following season, he is likely to decline it. By hitting unrestricted free agency, Reaves, 26, is expected to earn a contract deal worth $30 to $35 million per year.

According to Los Angeles Lakers insider, Jovan Buha, Reaves has expressed his desire to “be a Laker for life.” However, it is understood that the market will dictate Reaves’s price tag. Buha states that insiders around the league expect Reaves to earn over $30 million next summer and continue his stint at Los Angeles.

Tyler Herro’s career trajectory has set a benchmark for Reaves’s negotiations. Herro, who recently earned his first All-Star appearance, won the 2025 Three-Point Contest and displayed an impressive average. He is currently operating under a four-year, $130 million contract that earns him $32.5 million annually and is reportedly seeking an extension in the range of $41 to $42 million per year.

Reaves has already rejected a four-year, $89.2 million extension from the Lakers, revealing his intent to secure a contract deal closer to Herro’s range. If Herro succeeds in obtaining a higher deal, it is plausible that Reaves’s value will also increase.

This scenario presents both an opportunity and risk for the Los Angeles Lakers. Finalizing a deal with Reaves in the $30 to $35 million range could be beneficial. Still, if Herro resets the market closer to $40 million per year, Los Angeles may need to stretch beyond their initial plan.

However, for the Lakers’ fans, they can feel optimistic about Reaves’s development under coach JJ Redick, which is seen as part of the franchise’s grander vision. The NBA has entered a new era where Austin Reaves and Tyler Herro have become reference points for young guards aiming for hefty paydays. For Los Angeles, the time is ticking on what might be a crucial contract decision.