Sources reveal Lakers' potential contract offer to Austin Reaves

While the biggest question for the Los Angeles Lakers this offseason will be whether LeBron James will remain with them on a new contract, there is also the matter of Austin Reaves being expected to opt out of his contract and become a free agent.

Most around the NBA seem to expect Reaves to stay with the Purple and Gold, but the question is how much it will cost the franchise.

According to one source, Los Angeles will offer the star guard a five-year deal worth $240 million, which translates to an average annual value of $48 million.

Via Lakers Daily:

"The Los Angeles Lakers plan to offer Austin Reaves a five-year, $240 million contract this offseason once unrestricted free agency begins, sources told Lakers Daily," wrote Ashish Mathur.

"Reaves will decline his player option for next season to become an unrestricted free agent this offseason, sources said. The Lakers have 'no fear' of losing the talented undrafted guard, who wants to spend his entire career with the Purple and Gold, sources said."

Reaves is one of the NBA's rare rags-to-riches stories. He is originally from Newark, Ark., a small town that had a population of 1,180 according to the 2020 census. The Lakers signed him to a two-way contract in the summer of 2021, and that deal was soon converted to a standard contract.

He has upped his production each season. So far this season, he's averaging 23.7 points on 49.5% field-goal shooting and 37.5% from 3-point range and 5.5 assists a game. Had it not been for a gastrocnemius strain that forced him to miss several weeks, he might have gotten his first All-Star game nod.

Once the Lakers get Reaves to sign his new contract, they will reportedly go after the biggest fish expected to be available this summer.

"All signs point toward Reaves and the Lakers agreeing to a new contract this offseason. Once that is finalized, Los Angeles will aggressively pursue a trade for Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo, sources said.

"The Lakers can offer up to three first-round picks to the Bucks for Antetokounmpo this summer."

Overall, the team is expected to have roughly $50 million of salary cap space available this offseason.

This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Sources reveal Lakers' potential contract offer to Austin Reaves