Austin Reaves‘ life changed the moment he signed a four-year, $185 million extension with the Los Angeles Lakers. But despite becoming one of the NBA’s newest mega-millionaires, the Lakers guard says fans shouldn’t expect him to buy flashy cars and mansions.
Instead, Reaves has a longer-term goal in mind for himself and his family.
Speaking to the California Post while playing at the American Century Championship golf tournament in Nevada, Reaves revealed what he plans to do with his new deal.
“I don’t buy stuff… All my stuff goes into investments, and hopefully I can set my family up for generations to come.”
“I’m not super into it. I got into SpaceX a couple years ago. With that going public, that was good. But I don’t really know much about it. I just let [financial advisors] take care of it, and hopefully they make me some money.”
It was a very grounded response from a player whose career has been anything but normal.
After going undrafted in 2021, Reaves fought his way onto the Lakers roster and gradually developed into one of the franchise’s most important players. Five years after joining the Lakers, he has gone from an undrafted rookie on an unguaranteed contract to becoming one of the highest-paid guards in the NBA.
But his mindset hasn’t changed. Reaves admitted that he isn’t an expert in the investment world and is choosing to trust professionals with his finances.
That patient approach reflects Reaves’ personality throughout his career. He improved each season, gained the trust of the superstars and the organization, and then became Luka Doncic’s running mate for the foreseeable future.
Last season was the best of his career. He averaged 23.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 5.5 assists while shooting 49.0% from the field and 36.0% from three-point range. Reaves would have earned a first All-Star selection and possibly his first All-NBA selection, but he got injured around Christmas and missed several games. But he emerged as the perfect secondary creator next to Doncic, giving the Lakers one of the league’s best backcourts.
His new contract shows how much the Lakers value him. In fact, the Lakers gave him everything he asked for after learning the Pistons were preparing a max offer.
Reaves received the news while playing the one other sport he enjoys so much: golf. When the extension became official, Reaves collapsed on the fairway in joy. It was a long journey to this point, but it was well deserved.
Now, Reaves enters a completely new chapter as one of the faces of the Lakers next to Luka. The pressure will be greater than ever, especially with LeBron James no longer there to absorb the spotlight.
Judging by his comments, Reaves remains focused on the same values that led him to this point. While many players celebrate a life-changing payday by buying items of immense wealth, the Lakers guard is thinking long-term for his family. By the time his current contract expires, his total NBA career earnings will have crossed $226 million, and he will have done that.
