The silver lining of LeBron James’ absence has been Austin Reaves, who has emerged as the Lakers’ go-to player to address their early-season struggles. Last week, against the Timberwolves, Reaves delivered a standout performance, culminating in a dramatic buzzer-beater that secured an 116–115 victory and sparked widespread excitement among fans. He led the team with 28 points and 16 assists, while the rest of the Lakers rose to the occasion when it mattered most. Now, with Reaves sidelined for his second consecutive game, it’s no surprise that fans are expressing their disappointment.

ESPN’s Dave McMenamin shared an update on X regarding Austin Reaves’ status for the Lakers’ upcoming game vs the Spurs. He reported: “JJ Redick says Austin Reaves is a ‘TBD’ for L.A.’s next game in Atlanta on Saturday. Redick said the team is being cautious with Reaves’ groin issue at the moment. Reaves tested it after shootaround today and the medical staff determined to hold him out.”

The Lakers have started the season strong, and a huge reason for that has been Austin Reaves. The moment he steps onto the court, it’s like he’s wearing an ‘All-Star’ tag, letting everyone know he belongs at the highest level. He is averaging 31.1 points, 9.3 assists, and 5.1 rebounds per game while shooting nearly 49% from the field. 

Paired with Luka Dončić, the duo has been nearly unstoppable, combining for more than 72 points and 17 assists per game. Reaves’ knack for stepping up, especially with LeBron sidelined, has been a key factor in the Lakers’ impressive 6–2 start.

The Lakers are facing a setback as Austin Reaves will miss his second consecutive game due to a right groin strain. Despite playing through the pain during Sunday’s victory over the Miami Heat, Reaves will sit out after participating in Wednesday’s shootaround. The decision by the medical staff and coaches to rest him is a significant loss, especially considering his role as the team’s offensive spark, exemplified by his 51-point outburst against the Kings and the memorable buzzer-beater against the Timberwolves.

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On a positive note, Luka Dončić has returned and is ready to take the lead. Dončić missed the previous game against the Trail Blazers due to injury management but is now fully available. He has been exceptional this season, averaging 41.3 points per game, and will be crucial for the Lakers as they face the Spurs.

The team will also get a boost from Jaxson Hayes, who has been upgraded to available after a right ankle sprain. With both stars on the floor, the Lakers still have a shot to compete at a high level even without Reaves.

But head coach JJ Redick now faces the task of balancing minutes in the backcourt. Players like Marcus Smart have already been crucial with their energy and hustle, and Nick Smith Jr. could see more consistent time after his 25-point explosion against the Trail Blazers.

The Lakers have shown they can win even with multiple players sidelined, but taking on a Spurs team off to a 5–1 start led by Victor Wembanyama will require a full team effort. 

How can the Lakers keep their new offensive engine, Austin Reaves?

While Reaves’ return date remains uncertain, his performances so far have shown one thing: he’s worth far more than the $14.9 million team option on his current contract.

Tim Bontemps and Brian Windhorst of ESPN report that Reaves is expected to decline that option next summer, opening the door to free agency and potentially a huge payday.

According to league insiders, the “absolute baseline” for Reaves’ new salary is around $30 million per year, but some believe his market value could already be higher, especially after his early-season dominance.

A league executive even speculated that a rival team could offer Reaves a four-year, $180 million deal in free agency. But the same source thinks the Lakers could keep him if they come back with a five-year offer worth that much.

“I don’t think he’s going to quite keep up this pace because LeBron will take away touches,” the executive said, “but he is good, and the Lakers intend to keep him, and he intends to stay, so my guess is it gets done.” 

The Lakers are in a good spot to make it work. With LeBron’s eventual exit likely, they’ll have plenty of cap space to offer Reaves a big raise without jeopardizing the rest of the roster.

He could command closer to $40 million per season, and keeping him would give L.A. a reliable second scoring option alongside Dončić, ensuring the superstar isn’t overburdened. 

The team can first use its remaining cap space to strengthen other positions, such as a shooter, a backup big, or a defensive wing, and then circle back to Reaves with the big contract he deserves.

In short, Reaves’ rise has been a game-changer for the Lakers. His value is climbing fast, and the team faces a critical choice: make him a cornerstone of their future with a major pay bump, or risk losing him in free agency.