LA Lakers’ Austin Reaves claims he's not giving up on securing a bag elsewhere: "I want to make as much money as I can" 

LA Lakers breakout star and impending free agent Austin Reaves has expressed his desire to stay with the franchise beyond this season. Reaves couldn't have had a better start to his career, developing under the wings of LeBron James and emerging as one of their best role players.

Reaves was an undrafted guard out of Oklahoma when he debuted for the Lakers last season. He signed a two-year contract and will be a restricted free agent this offseason. Reaves could command a sum of $50 million on a multi-year deal in free agency. That's the most the Lakers can offer him, while other teams will have the chance to sign him for more money.

Despite mutual interest in continuing his tenure in LA, Reaves has expressed that his priority is to secure his earnings during his time in the NBA. Here's what he said on the "Point Forward" podcast recently:

"I would like to be here, but it is the NBA though, it is a business. Unfortunately for me, I was not talented enough to come into the league at 18 or 19 years old, so a couple contracts behind someone that is a one-and-done. Anybody that says we do not play the game for money to me is lying.

"I feel like if you was not getting paid, I do not know if you would be here doing it. Obviously, everybody loves the game, but I want to make as much money as I can and be successful no matter where it is at."

Austin Reaves came into the league after spending five years in college. He played his first two seasons at Wichita State before transferring to Oklahoma for his junior and senior seasons in 2018.

Reaves had a redshirt year upon his arrival in Oklahoma due to NCAA transfer rules. He resumed his college career in 2019 and impressed in his two seasons with Oklahoma. He averaged 14.7 ppg, 5.3 rpg and 3.0 apg in his junior year and 18.3 ppg, 5.5 rpg and 4.6 apg in his senior year.

Reaves was 23 when he made his NBA debut in 2021. He signed a multi-year deal worth $2.4 million with the Lakers after initially signing a two-way contract.

Austin Reaves has outplayed his LA Lakers contract by a significant margin

The LA Lakers secured another under-the-radar prospect when they picked up Austin Reaves from the undrafted rookie pool before the 2021-22 season. Reaves showed plenty of confidence and impressed the Lakers' brass, including LeBron James and Anthony Davis, with his high IQ.

He built an excellent relationship on the court with James in his rookie season, which only developed entering his sophomore season this year. Reaves had several highlights since his debut, including a game-winner against Dallas in December 2021 and a triple-double performance in the Lakers' season finale in 2022 against Denver.

Entering the 2022-23 NBA season, the LA Lakers continued to show faith in him, and the move has paid dividends. Reaves has emerged as arguably the best role player on the team. He can do a bit of everything, especially offensively. Austin Reaves has averaged 12.3 ppg and 3.1 apg per game, shooting on 51/38/86 splits.

His performances have improved as the year progressed, and over the past 10 games, Reaves has averaged 18.9 ppg and 6.4 apg, shooting 53.5%. He has been crucial in helping the LA Lakers stay afloat in LeBron James' absence during this stretch.

Austin Reaves has thoroughly outplayed his contract with LA following this recent run of performances. There isn't much to argue regarding his valuation of being a $10 million per year player in free agency this summer.