Austin Reaves is an NBA rags-to-riches story in a league that does not have as many such tales as different sports activities leagues, particularly the NFL, do. He went undrafted in 2021 out of the College of Oklahoma, however after he did nicely in summer season league play for the Los Angeles Lakers, they signed him to a two-way contract, which was transformed into a typical contract lower than two months later.
He has raised his sport every season, and this season was no exception. He arguably performed at an All-Star stage this season and had folks saying that the Lakers now had a authentic “Large Three” consisting of him, LeBron James and Luka Doncic.
Austin Reaves’ season stats
In 73 regular-season video games, Reaves averaged 20.2 factors, 5.8 assists and 4.5 rebounds a sport whereas taking pictures 46% from the sphere, 37.7% from 3-point vary and 87.7% from the free throw line.
Within the first spherical of the NBA playoffs, he averaged 16.2 factors, 5.4 rebounds and three.6 assists a sport whereas taking pictures 41.1% from the sphere, 31.9% from 3-point vary and 85.7% from the free throw line.
Total evaluation
Reaves’ taking pictures effectivity went up and down throughout the first half of the season. He shot simply 41.4% general and 33% from 3-point vary in November, however in December, he averaged 22.1 factors a sport whereas making 46.8% of his shot makes an attempt and 37.7% from downtown.
Numerous his shot makes an attempt, particularly his 3-point makes an attempt, previous to Doncic’s arrival appeared to come back off the dribble. That meant he needed to work onerous for his photographs, particularly since he has bother getting previous his preliminary defender off the dribble with no robust ball display screen.
However the commerce for Doncic appeared to open issues up for the Arkansas native. The Slovenian grew to become L.A.’s important facilitator and ball-handler and sucked up numerous defensive consideration like an industrial-strength vacuum, which created simpler alternatives for Reaves. It additionally meant Reaves was typically being guarded by a weaker defender than he was earlier within the yr.
In Reaves’ final 25 video games of the common season, he registered 22.8 factors a sport on 48.7% general taking pictures and 41.1% from 3-point land. These figures went as much as 24.9 factors a sport, 52.4% general taking pictures and 42.4% 3-point taking pictures in his final 17 contests.
At occasions, when L.A. was with out one or each of its superstars, he stepped up his sport and performed at a famous person stage. On Feb. 8, with James out of motion and Doncic but to make his crew debut, Reaves exploded for a career-high 45 factors in opposition to the Indiana Pacers, a crew that’s presently two wins away from an NBA championship. He additionally went for 37 factors, 13 assists, eight rebounds and 4 steals on March 14 versus the Denver Nuggets when each James and Doncic did not play.
Sadly, Reaves performed poorly within the first spherical of the playoffs versus the Minnesota Timberwolves, and it appeared to resume the emphasis on his shortcomings.
He’s comparatively unathletic, which manifests itself on each ends of the ground, however particularly on the defensive finish. He struggles defensively in opposition to sure matchups, notably larger and stronger wings, and over the past couple of seasons, opposing groups have appeared to use this deficiency.
Nonetheless, one has to conclude that Reaves had one other profitable season the place he constructed upon what he had executed throughout the earlier season.
What’s subsequent for Reaves?
Prior to now, the Lakers had thought-about Reaves nearly untouchable in any commerce discussions. However now, a substantial variety of followers need the crew to commerce him and really feel it should have to take action so as to turn out to be a real championship contender.
Such followers level to the dearth of protection and athleticism {that a} beginning backcourt of Doncic and Reaves has, in addition to the truth that Reaves has a participant choice for the 2026-27 season and will quickly turn out to be very costly to maintain. The guard made a whisker below $13 million this season and shall be paid $13.9 million subsequent season.
Maybe Reaves may nonetheless be a serious a part of a Lakers crew that wins all of it, however he could have to take action as a sixth man because of his weaknesses. Alternatively, maybe touchdown a two-way wing comparable to Andrew Wiggins would permit Reaves to assist L.A. win the NBA championship as a starter.
Total grade: B-plus
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