Los Angeles Lakers guards Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves formed a statistically productive backcourt duo a season ago. Both players served as key scorers and playmakers, as they were among just 22 players in the league to average 20-plus points and five-plus assists per contest during the season (minimum 50 games played).
Still, there has been some talk about whether the two guards are a good fit together, partly because of their playing styles on offense and partly because of their defensive tendencies. Meanwhile, Reaves’ future in Los Angeles isn’t set in stone just yet. He has a player option attached to his deal for the 2026-27 season after he gets paid around $14 million in the coming season.
However, NBA executives reportedly expect Doncic and Reaves to be Los Angeles’ backcourt for the long haul.
“I think he will get $30 [million] plus,” one executive told ESPN regarding Reaves’ next deal, a stance that is seemingly in line with the views of other league sources.
It sounds like executives expect Reaves to stick around.
“The expectation, from both that executive and others, is that Reaves ultimately will return to Los Angeles, which would cement Reaves’ role as the long-term running mate next to Doncic in L.A.’s backcourt — the role once held by [Jalen] Brunson then [Kyrie] Irving in Dallas,” ESPN’s Tim Bontemps wrote.
“But the tenor of those negotiations — and where Reaves fits in the long-term picture for the Lakers — could hinge on what happens next spring. Reaves struggled in L.A.’s first-round playoff loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves in April, shooting 31.9% from 3-point range on more than nine attempts per game and also committing nearly three turnovers per outing.”
One coach called the upcoming season a big one for Reaves.
“This is a big season for him,” said a Western Conference assistant coach. “He’d better bring it in the playoffs, because he’s got to be good enough [to pair with Doncic].”
While Reaves will be seeking a new deal at some point, the Lakers just recently came to terms on a three-year contract extension with Doncic. The Slovenian — who could potentially be the face of the franchise for many years to come — was on track to possibly hit unrestricted free agency next summer before he and the Lakers agreed to a deal earlier this month.
Though Los Angeles lost in the opening round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs, the team had a highly successful 2024-25 regular season, and the offensive production it received from Doncic and Reaves was a major reason for that. The Lakers finished with 50-plus wins for the first time in a while and secured a top-three seed in a highly competitive Western Conference.
The acquisition of guard Marcus Smart may help mask the defensive questions around Doncic and Reaves, at least in the short term. Smart won a Defensive Player of the Year award earlier this decade back in the 2021-22 campaign, and he’s long been an elite player on that end of the floor when healthy.
Here’s to hoping that Doncic and Reaves will help the Lakers win at least one championship during their time as backcourt mates with the franchise. Los Angeles last won a title in 2020.
