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Luka Doncic And LeBron James Could Face A Painful Betrayal From A Player Who Once Swore Loyalty To The Lakers
Austin Reaves turns down a massive extension and raises doubts about his future in Los Angeles; a new betrayal looms over the Slovenian star.
Reaves Pulls Away From Commitment To The Lakers
The stability Luka Doncic and LeBron James hoped to build with the Lakers has taken a serious hit. Shooting guard Austin Reaves, one of the cornerstones of the Los Angeles squad, has rejected a four-year, $89.2 million contract extension. The decision has raised eyebrows, especially since Reaves had claimed just weeks ago that he wanted to spend his entire career in Los Angeles.
The 27-year-old’s refusal comes at a critical moment. His current contract expires in June 2026, though he holds a player option for one additional season worth $15 million. According to reports from Dan Woike, a journalist for The Athletic, Reaves is betting on landing a much more lucrative deal in free agency—putting the Lakers’ current core at risk.
Doncic Could Relive The Dallas Story
For Doncic, this situation brings back ghosts of the past. The Slovenian star still carries the disappointment of how his time with the Dallas Mavericks ended, feeling betrayed by internal decisions within the franchise. Now, having recently joined the Lakers, he faces the possibility of losing a key ally in his new quest for an NBA title.
Reaves’ potential exit could not only affect the team’s chemistry but also its future financial decisions. According to Bobby Marks, an ESPN analyst, Reaves could command a five-year, $246.7 million deal if he waits. The problem? That number directly conflicts with what the Lakers could offer Doncic, who is eligible this August to sign a four-year, $228 million extension.
LeBron, for his part, has always expressed complete confidence in Reaves, considering him a crucial part of the team’s project. However, this apparent “betrayal” has reignited uncertainty within a franchise striving to build a contender with very limited flexibility.
Although the relationship between the guard and the franchise remains solid, the act of turning down the extension makes it clear: business will outweigh any declarations of eternal love. For Luka Doncic, the last thing he needed was to face disloyalty in the locker room once again.
