Austin Reaves Signs Four-Year $180 Million Contract With Los Angeles Lakers

Austin Reaves signed a four-year, $180 million contract with the Los Angeles Lakers, the most lucrative NBA deal for an undrafted player in league history, ESPN reported. He originally agreed to a four-year, $185 million extension that included a player option on the final year before settling on the lower figure.

The deal gives the Lakers additional financial flexibility to pursue a player using the non-taxpayer midlevel exception next summer.

Reaves will be counted on to lead the team alongside Luka Doncic after James departed following eight years with the franchise. Reaves spoke to reporters Monday in Las Vegas for the first time since signing. "I don't know if I've honestly processed it yet," he said of James' exit.

"Starting the season without him being on the team is going to be different for me. He's kind of all I've ever known. Just him being around, joking around, acting like he's 15. But that's his decision and ...

Reaves described Doncic as one of his best friends and said the two speak almost every day. He arrived in Las Vegas late Sunday after competing in the American Century Championship celebrity golf tournament in Lake Tahoe. New teammates Walker Kessler, Quentin Grimes, Collin Sexton and Sandro Mamukelashvili gathered in Las Vegas to meet the coaching staff and scrimmage.

Marcus Smart signed with the Houston Rockets, Deandre Ayton with the Washington Wizards, Rui Hachimura with the LA Clippers and Luke Kennard with the Phoenix Suns. Reaves said he wanted to remain a Laker and reached agreement on the contract before July 1.