Since coming into the league as an undrafted free agent, Austin Reaves has let his play prove he belongs.
In his first action in purple and gold, Reaves instantly gave Lakers fans a player to root for with an extra-effort Summer League game-winner.
A fan favorite was born that day.
Reaves has continued to grow ever since, navigating countless changes within the organization as the second-longest tenured player on the Los Angeles Lakers' current roster.
Fast forward five seasons, and Reaves, 28, is entering his prime and is in line for a potentially massive payday this summer after the likely decline out of his $14.9 million player option.
The Arkansas native has outplayed his four-year, $53.8 million contract he signed with the Lakers back in 2023 and will be in for an even bigger contract or even max deal.
A deal he's earned five years in the making.
Darwin Walker - The Sporting Tribune
Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15) looks on during an NBA game against the Philadelphia 76ers on February 5, 2026, in Los Angeles, CA.
And keeping the star guard in L.A. should be their top priority this offseason.
"He started his journey here as a Laker and has made it very clear to us that he wants his journey to continue as a Laker," Rob Pelinka, the Lakers' GM and president of basketball operations, said during his end-of-season press conference.
"Both sides have made it abundantly clear that we want to work something out where he continues his prolific career here," Pelinka added.
The good news for the Lakers is they hold a significant advantage over rival teams thanks to Reaves' Bird rights.
According to ESPN's Bobby Marks, the Lakers can offer him a five-year, $241 million contract worth roughly $48.2 million annually, while other teams are limited to a four-year, $178.5 million deal averaging about $44.6 million per season.
The Detroit Pistons, Brooklyn Nets and Atlanta Hawks have all reportedly emerged as potential suitors.
Jordan Teller - The Sporting Tribune
Austin Reaves #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers dribbles the ball up the court during an NBA basketball game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday, February 9, 2026, in Los Angeles, Calif.
Reaves' passion and love for the game have made him one of the easiest players to root for since joining the franchise in 2021.
This season served as another testament to just how far he has come, dealing with and playing through multiple injuries, taking a larger role alongside Luka Dončić, and raising his scoring average from 7.3 as a rookie to a career-high 23.3 points.
After a blistering start to the season, averaging 32 points in October that included a 51-point performance and a game-winner in Minnesota, Reaves appeared well on his way to earning his first NBA All-Star selection.
Then injuries halted his momentum.
Jordan Teller - The Sporting Tribune
Luka Dončić #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers and Austin Reaves #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers smile together on the court during an NBA basketball game against the Chicago Bulls, Thursday, March 12, 2026, in Los Angeles, Calif.
A calf strain forced Reaves to miss four weeks in the middle of the season and then an oblique strain late in the season. He never looked fully himself after returning in the postseason with Dončić sidelined and L.A. desperately needing reinforcements.
But he still gave his all, delivering a 31-point game and a 27-point game in their playoff series sweep against the Thunder.
Although he finished the season having played just 51 games — the fewest of his career — Reaves still posted a career-high scoring average and showed that the backcourt recipe of him and Dončić can work at an elite level.
At one point during the season, they were the league's highest-scoring duo.
"I'm just blessed to have an opportunity to play for this organization... I don't think about what I'm really going to do in the future. Kind of just day by day," Reaves said when asked about his future with the Lakers after their season-ending Game 4 loss to the Thunder.
Jordan Teller - The Sporting Tribune
Austin Reaves #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers lays the ball up during an NBA Playoffs basketball game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday, May 11, 2026, in Los Angeles, Calif.
Still, Reaves has consistently proven his value.
Through five seasons in L.A., he has played under three different head coaches and navigated a whole roster turnover minus LeBron James, yet his humbleness has never changed.
Whether it's scoring, playmaking, defending, or sacrificing his body to draw charges, Reaves has remained one of the Lakers' most reliable and consistent contributors.
If this was his last ride in L.A., he gave the fans a player to root for and appreciate wherever he goes.
If the Lakers bring back their homegrown talent, Dončić and Reaves would be poised to lead the franchise into its next era together, with both guards entering the prime of their careers.