Title: “From Undrafted to Unstoppable: Austin Reaves Set to Become Highest-Paid Undrafted Player in NBA History”
The NBA Draft came and went in 2021, and Austin Reaves never heard his name. No fanfare. No handshake. Just silence. But if the latest reports are true, that silence may soon be worth $30 million per year.
Reaves, the gritty guard out of Oklahoma, is reportedly on the verge of signing a massive extension with the Los Angeles Lakers, a deal that would make him the highest-paid undrafted player in NBA history—surpassing Fred VanVleet, who previously held that distinction at $25 million annually.
It’s a rise that’s not just remarkable—it’s historic.
Reaves’ story reads like a basketball fairytale with a chip on its shoulder. Overlooked in high school, underappreciated in college, and completely passed over in the draft, the 6’5″ guard refused to let labels define him. He bet on himself, signing a two-way deal with the Lakers in 2021, and from the moment he stepped on the court at Summer League, it was clear: this kid could hoop.
By his second season, Reaves wasn’t just part of the Lakers’ rotation—he was a key weapon in their playoff run. Whether it was clutch buckets against Memphis, drawing fouls with Harden-like precision, or confidently barking “I’M HIM” after drilling big-time threes, Reaves became a fan favorite and a trusted sidekick next to LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
> “We knew we had something special,” said Lakers head coach Darvin Ham. “But even we didn’t expect him to evolve this fast. He’s fearless. And he’s earned every penny coming his way.”
The reported deal—estimated at 4 years, $120 million—is more than a financial milestone. It’s a message to every undrafted player grinding in the G-League or overseas: being overlooked doesn’t mean being underestimated forever.
Reaves has built his game around savvy IQ, deceptive quickness, a tight handle, and a jumper that keeps defenders honest. But it’s his intangibles—his toughness, his fearlessness in the clutch, his poise under pressure—that have made him invaluable to the Lakers’ core. He’s gone toe-to-toe with stars, defended All-Stars, and made winning plays night after night.
“He’s not flashy,” said LeBron James after a late-season win. “But AR is one of the smartest players I’ve ever played with. He just gets it.”
The Lakers’ front office sees him as part of the team’s long-term foundation, with the new deal signaling faith in Reaves not just as a role player—but as a franchise piece.
So now, three years after the world passed him over, Austin Reaves is making history on his own terms.
Undrafted? Yes. Undervalued? Not anymore.
In a league built on stars, sometimes the best stories come from the shadows. And if this deal goes through, Austin Reaves will be more than just a feel-good story—he’ll be a $120 million reminder that the dream doesn’t start when you’re drafted.
Sometimes, it starts the moment you’re doubted.
