Report: Austin Reaves 'could command $40 million a season'

While the Los Angeles Lakers will have to figure out how they will retain LeBron James this summer, especially if they don't want to offer him a max or near-max contract, they also have to come to terms with Austin Reaves on a new contract.

The rising star guard is expected to opt out of his current deal and become a free agent this offseason. While many people across the NBA expect him to re-sign with Los Angeles, it isn't a foregone conclusion that he will, and there is always a chance that he demands more money than Los Angeles is willing and able to offer him.

According to a recent report in The Athletic by Dan Woike and Sam Amick, Reaves could receive offers of as much as $40 million a year, especially from other teams.

"While team and league sources believe that the Lakers and Reaves will eventually land on a contract that makes sense, the door for Reaves to walk is open should he get a big offer elsewhere," Woike and Amick wrote. "Rival executives predicted Reaves could command $40 million a season due to a combination of his play, his age and, perhaps most importantly, a free-agent class completely devoid of players as productive as him in their prime. At present, the Chicago Bulls and Brooklyn Nets, who both have needs at the guard position, are the only teams with the sort of salary-cap space available to meet that sort of financial mark. Other teams that are known to have some interest in Reaves — like Utah and , per league sources — would need to make roster moves to find the necessary space. League sources say winning will be a significant factor in Reaves’ thinking."