Austin Reaves wants to stay Austin Reaves does not want to leave the LA Lakers. He made this clear in an interview with Kait8.com speaking at a basketball camp. Reaves cited the impressive trade the Lakers made to acquire Luka Doncic at the midseason deadline for fuelling him with excitement about the team’s direction. He explained: “I think the sky’s the limit for us. We’re moving in the right direction. “Obviously, adding Luka [Doncic], it gives you a hall of fame player such a young age that you can build around, and then obviously, still having Bron [LeBron James], the IQ, and still running around at forty years old, but I want to be in LA.” Reaves added: “I want to play my whole career in LA. I love it there. I love the fans. Love the weather, love the golf. And obviously the Lakers is the best organization in basketball.” Dan Woike of the Los Angeles Times claimed the Lakers might have to trade Austin Reaves due to a lack of other assets – but that is dependent on what they want to acquire. Reaves responded: “I don’t pay attention to it. I keep my head down work, and I feel like that’s one of the reasons I’m where I’m at.” Reaves contract situation Austin Reaves has one year remaining on his contract with the LA Lakers. The team can offer him an extension this offseason. The smart move on Reaves’ part is to wait, and become an unrestricted free agent in summer 2026, where he will command higher offers, which the Lakers would have to match. Amid his desire to stay in LA, Reaves’ advisors will be looking to ensure he makes the most financially prudent move possible, adding to the uncertainty over his future. Lakers fans can at least take heart from his comments, and Rob Pelinka’s commitment to him at the time of the Doncic trade shows where his head is at. The Lakers GM referred to Reaves as the Lakers’ ‘Swiss army knife’, claiming he was on his mind throughout negotiations with the Dallas Mavericks, and was determined to keep him. As one of the Lakers’ most productive players last season, enjoying a career-best year, Reaves sounds like he wants to keep the momentum.