The Brooklyn Nets could be eyeing Los Angeles Lakers star Austin Reaves. According to Dan Woike of The Athletic, multiple league sources expect the Nets to offer Reaves a max contract (four years, $179.5 million) in unrestricted free agency. However, some within league circles expect Brooklyn to take a more conservative approach with its cap space, according to Marc Stein.
“Brooklyn and Detroit have been mentioned as potential Reaves suitors, but neither is seen as a certainty yet. There have been recent rumbles, in fact, about the Nets potentially looking at shorter deals if they do decide to be aggressive in free agency,” Stein wrote.
Brooklyn is one of three teams projected to have significant cap space this summer, alongside the Lakers and Chicago Bulls.
How aggressive will Nets get during 2026 NBA free agency?
The most the Nets can offer Reaves is a four-year, $178.5 million deal ($45 million AAV). However, the Lakers can offer the 28-year-old a five-year, $239 million contract ($48 million AAV). League sources have told ClutchPoints that Los Angeles is highly unlikely to let Reaves walk for nothing.
The Lakers’ spending power could force the Nets to look for offensive upgrades elsewhere in free agency.
This summer’s market will feature several proven guards who will cost less than Reaves, such as Ayo Dosunmu, Coby White, Anfernee Simons, CJ McCollum, Colin Gillespie, Bennedict Mathurin, Quentin Grimes and Norman Powell. The Nets could also target forwards such as Peyton Watson, Tari Eason, Rui Hachimura, Dean Wade or Sandro Mamukelashvili.
The Nets’ trade and free agency plans likely hinge on what player they select with the No. 6 pick in Tuesday’s draft. Free agency opens on June 30th at 6 PM EST.
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