Austin Reaves’ free agency priority is emerging as the Los Angeles Lakers face a major offseason contract decision.

The Lakers sign Nick Smith Jr. to a two-year deal for guard depth as Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves remain sidelined heading into the 2026 NBA Playoffs.

Lakers guard Austin Reaves suffered a grade 2 oblique strain—here’s the typical 3-5 week recovery timeline, treatment options, and why returning too soon carries significant re-injury risk.

With Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves sidelined, the Lakers made one final move — and it could matter more than expected.

Also like Dončić, unless every party agrees to push a little bit, it could be a while before we see Reaves suit up in purple and gold again. The Lakers, of course, have already ruled out Reaves for the remainder of their regular season that ends this Sunday.

According to ClutchPoints' NBA insider Brett Siegel, he would say that he gives a 95 percent chance of Reaves returning to Los Angeles, and the other five percent would be the guard being a focal point of a potential trade for Antetokounmpo.

Disappointing news hit the Los Angeles Lakers when Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves went down at the same time in a blowout loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Doctors warn Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves’ oblique injury could worsen if rushed back as playoffs near.

Lakers coach JJ Redick believes other West teams that still have their seeding to be determined prefer L.A. as their first-round opponent in the playoffs.