The Utah Jazz have spent the last couple of seasons slowly reshaping their roster, but the opportunity to take a major leap could be just around the corner. That is because one of their dream free agent targets in Austin Reaves will become an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2026. If the Jazz front office has its way, they will absolutely be in the mix for him.
Reaves is expected to command major money on the open market, and for good reason. The 27-year-old combo guard has proven he can score, pass, and be a contributor on defense in high-leverage moments.
He has also gained the respect of fellow players across the league for the way he has taken his game to a new level since he first entered the league. According to The Athletic’s Sam Vecenie, Reaves could be looking at a deal worth around four years and $160 million, a figure that only a few teams will realistically be able to offer. But the Jazz might be one of them.
Reaves could be the perfect target for the Jazz
Utah is currently sitting on considerable future cap space and draft flexibility. General manager Justin Zanik has not rushed into short-term splashes during this rebuild, instead focusing on long-term roster development and smart financial positioning. That approach could soon pay off, especially if the team enters next summer with a clear path toward adding a player of Reaves’ caliber.
It helps that Reaves is already familiar with Jazz head coach Will Hardy from their time together with Team USA. That relationship could help Utah pitch the kind of stability and trust that many players seek in free agency. It also does not hurt that the Jazz could offer him a larger role than what he may continue to have in Los Angeles, especially with Luka Doncic now leading the show there.
Whether Reaves would actually leave the Lakers is anyone’s guess, but if they are not prepared to match a maximum-level deal or if they choose to prioritize another co-star next to Luka, then the door opens for a team like Utah. There are very few guards in the league who can play on or off the ball while still maintaining such high efficiency, and that is exactly the kind of versatility the Jazz could use as their young core matures.
Utah’s rebuild has been deliberate for a reason. And if everything falls right next summer, Reaves might be the perfect piece to accelerate it.