How Austin Reaves $185M contract affects LeBron James future with Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers took care of their biggest offseason priority by agreeing to terms with star guard Austin Reaves on a four-year, $185 million contract to keep Reaves in Tinseltown.With Reaves and superstar guard Luka Doncic, the Lakers have their star-studded backcourt locked in with the 1-2 punch of what they hope will be a championship-level roster secured.But now, the Lakers’ attention turns to what the roster will look like. And that starts with addressing the status of the most coveted unrestricted free agent in the league: superstar forward LeBron James. James, who’ll turn 42 in December, and the Lakers have started negotiations about a new contract that would bring the league’s all-time leading scorer back to Los Angeles for a record-extending 24th NBA season. Although James hasn’t officially confirmed whether he’ll return to the NBA for another season, most league personnel aren’t expecting for him to retire and believe he’ll play at least one more season. The Lakers have made it clear they wanted James back in the Purple and Gold for a ninth consecutive season, which would be James’ longest consecutive tenure with a franchise.  California's top news, sports and entertainment delivered to your inbox every day.Please provide a valid email.

By clicking above you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.Never miss a story “We probably haven’t seen a player that has honored the game to the extent that he’s honored the game,” Lakers President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Rob Pelinka said last month.

“He’s given so much to his teammates, to this organization.And the thing we want to do more than anything else is honor him back.” “The first order of business there is allowing him to spend the time he needs to decide what his next steps are: Does he want to play another year in the NBA? And that’ll be, as he said to you guys last night, family...