It was a night to forget for Austin Reaves. In his third game back from injury, the Lakers guard put up a stat line that had fans wincing—just 8 points, 5 rebounds, and 6 assists in 36 minutes against the Oklahoma City Thunder. But the real story was the shooting: 3-of-16 from the field, 0-of-5 from three-point range, and four turnovers. For a player who’s been eyeing a massive payday, this kind of performance is raising eyebrows across Lakers Nation.
The timing couldn’t be worse. Since Reaves returned from a Grade 2 oblique strain, the Lakers have failed to crack 100 points in all three games. Over his last two starts, he’s taken 30 shots and scored just 23 points—a brutal efficiency that’s sparked uncomfortable conversations about his future contract. The 27-year-old isn’t technically a free agent yet, but he’s playing on a four-year, $53 million deal that looks like a bargain compared to what he could command this summer.
According to reports, the Lakers could offer Reaves a staggering $239.3 million over five years. He’s already turned down a four-year, $90 million extension in June 2025, and league insiders expect him to decline his $14.9 million player option for 2026-27. But here’s the catch: after a strong regular season, his playoff struggles are threatening to cost him millions. Against the Thunder this season, he hasn’t scored 20 points or made more than six field goals in any of their four matchups. Last year’s playoffs told a similar story—he shot just 31.9% from three against the Timberwolves, including a brutal 2-for-10 performance in the elimination loss.
The issue? Athletic limitations. The Thunder’s elite defenders have exposed Reaves’ lack of explosiveness, and it’s a pattern that’s followed him into the postseason. While it’s fair to cut him some slack coming off an oblique strain, the Lakers need more from their rising star. As one fan put it, "He’s costing himself millions with these performances." For a player who’s betting on himself, the next few games could make all the difference—both for the Lakers’ playoff hopes and his bank account.