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Austin Reaves #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers

Austin Reaves is back, hurray! Now how much longer does he actually plan on stick around? 

The Los Angeles Lakers are gearing up for a massive Game 6 tonight in Houston against the Rockets. The last thing on the team’s mind is the future of its stars. 

But hee comes a bit of a wrinkle in Reaves’ future in L.A. 

In an appearance on the “Rich Eisen Show,” NBA insider Brian Windhorst dropped a rather massive statement on Reaves’ upcoming contract situation. 

“This summer Austin Reaves is going to ask the Lakers — and he’s earned it — but he’s gonna ask for one of the largest contracts in the history of the Lakers organization,” Windhorst said. 

Make or Break Time for Austin Reaves?

What will move the Lakers to give Reaves what he’ll want (a huge contract)? 

If the 27-year-old star guard goes out and puts together a postseason run of his life. 

Reaves is just now starting to work his way back from a long absence due to a Grade 2 oblique strain. It would be unfair to demand he shows up and immediately puts the team on his back … even though he kinda, sorta has to considering the Lakers have seen their 3-0 series lead shrunk to 3-2.

But that’s why the Lakers brought Reaves back. Not that they rushed him. Reaves was ramping up to return well before Wednesday’s Game 5. 

With Luka Doncic still sidelined indefinitely, Reaves is firmly installed as the go-to scorer on his team. That kind of responsibility in the playoffs is no joke. And if Reaves smashes the Rockets’ comeback hopes by exploding in the scoring department in Game 6, it’ll help make his case for deserving a large contract extension.

Said Windhorst of Reaves: “He’s been terrific for them, but this is when he’s got to verify that. You make yourself indispensable by being indispensable.”

Reaves returned to the court in Game 5 after being sidelined since April 2. Although Wednesday’s box score suggests Reaves played a poor game, there were plenty of positives to take away.

He shot 16 times. Not what anyone would consider a high volume, but it’s notable for a guy in his first game after four weeks. 

Reaves also shot 13 free throws. That proves he was being aggressive and didn’t hesitate to put his head down and get to the basket. 

An aggressive, score-first Reaves is what the Lakers need tonight. 

A Crucial Game 6 on Tap as Talks of Blown Lead Continue

The Lakers already find themselves on the not-so-good side of history. 

By losing Game 5, L.A. allowed Houston to become just the 16th team in NBA history to force a Game 6 after trailing 0-3 in a best-of-seven series. 

All discourse about a potential all time Rockets come back can be tossed out the window if the Lakers take care of business tonight. 

Houston will once again be without Kevin Durant. Good news for the Lakers, yes, but it allows the Rockets to play with a more cavalier attitude knowing they have nothing to lose. 

That spells danger for the Lakers. 

They’ll be on the road trying to overcome a harassing crowd while hoping to stave off the Rockets for good.