Austin Reaves Emerges as Key Player for the Los Angeles Lakers

Austin Reaves is making a significant impact for the Los Angeles Lakers as the 2024-25 NBA season gets underway. After signing as an undrafted free agent in 2021, Reaves has steadily improved his game, and this season he is taking on a more pivotal role within the team.

Reaves’ development is a welcome change for the Lakers, who have historically struggled with internal player development since the Kobe Bryant era. Unlike past mistakes such as trading Kyle Kuzma for Russell Westbrook and failing to re-sign Alex Caruso, the Lakers’ decision to invest in Reaves is paying off. He is now clearly the third star of the team, supporting Anthony Davis and LeBron James as a tertiary scorer and play initiator.

In the early games of the season, Reaves has been impressive, averaging 18.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, 6.0 assists, 1.3 steals, 0.7 blocks, and 2.7 offensive rebounds per game. His balanced performance is crucial for a team with two franchise players on max-level contracts, as it helps alleviate some of the pressure on the 39-year-old LeBron James.

Reaves’ contract is also a boon for the Lakers, as he is owed just $26,913,936 over the next two seasons before he is expected to decline his player option in search of a bigger deal. This team-friendly contract, combined with his high level of play, makes him a valuable asset for the Lakers as they navigate the modern NBA landscape.