Austin Reaves Testing Free Agency — Lakers Favored

Merlin sees Brian Windhorst saying Austin Reaves will test free agency — “0.0% chance” of an in-season extension — even as the Lakers remain the favorites to bring him back. Tim Bontemps warns that if Reaves waits he could command “more than $40 million” a year after a 20.2 PPG season (46% FG, 37.7% 3PT) with 4.5 rebounds and 5.8 assists. That combination of production and cheap past contracts makes him a priority asset. Merlin notes this matters beyond scoring: Reaves is both a complementary floor general and a tradable piece, so Los Angeles faces a strategic choice — lock him now or let market forces set the price. Expect the Lakers to chase him hard in free agency, but also expect Reaves to feel the market’s tug before deciding.