The Los Angeles Lakers’ postseason aspirations are slipping away, despite possessing one of their key offensive pieces. Austin Reaves was enjoying a standout season alongside Luka Doncic, but his impressive run hit a major setback after returning from a Grade 2 oblique injury. Following a 131-108 Game 3 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday night, which gave the defending champions a commanding 3-0 series lead, attention has turned to the Lakers’ roster future—specifically Austin Reaves’ upcoming contract extension.
With scoring champion Luka Doncic sidelined by a hamstring injury, the Lakers have leaned heavily on Reaves to carry the load. However, Game 3 delivered a harsh reality check. Reaves posted 17 points and nine assists but struggled mightily, shooting just 5-of-13 from the field. He was unable to compensate for LeBron James’ off night, as James went 7-of-19 for 19 points.
The most glaring difference, however, wasn’t between Reaves and the Thunder’s stars but between him and Oklahoma City’s second-year guard Ajay Mitchell. Mitchell—filling in admirably for the injured Jalen Williams—is playing on a team-friendly three-year, $8.7 million contract. He has already exceeded that investment, recording a career playoff-high 24 points and 10 assists.
Throughout the game, Mitchell’s aggressive drives to the rim and playmaking exposed the defensive weaknesses in the Lakers’ backcourt, particularly Reaves. As Mitchell continues to emerge as a postseason revelation for the 7-0 Thunder, the massive financial gap between the two players has ignited fierce debate among Lakers fans about Reaves’ value as a core piece.
**Austin Reaves’ Contract Future in Jeopardy After OKC Series**
Reaves signed a four-year, $53.8 million deal in 2023, meaning the former undrafted free agent could hit free agency or secure a major pay raise in 2026. The contrast between Reaves’ $14.9 million player option and Mitchell’s $3 million annual salary has led many to question the Lakers’ reported plan to offer Reaves a five-year, $240 million maximum extension this summer.
One fan bluntly criticized: “They certainly will not pay Reaves. He’s a defensive liability, especially against elite teams. Not to mention he got outplayed on both ends by OKC role players such as Ajay Mitchell, a 3yr/$9M contract player. Reaves is not worth the money.”
Another fan noted the bittersweet reality: “The Lakers are about to pay $150M+ to Austin, and he’ll deserve it. But he just got badly outplayed by the Thunder’s 15th highest paid player. And that’s really what makes the Thunder such a unique challenge for the rest of the league.”
The sticker shock of a potential super-max deal was a recurring theme, with another fan asking, “And Reaves wants $240M? 😭” after his lackluster performance since returning for Game 5 against Houston. The reminder that “Ajay Mitchell only makes $3M a year” became a harsh benchmark to question Reaves’ overall value.
