Austin Reaves has come a long way. From going undrafted in 2021 to finding a home with the Los Angeles Lakers and even representing Team USA in the recently concluded 2023 FIBA World Cup, it's been quite a whirlwind for the former Oklahoma Sooners star. It's even gotten to a point that he's become a marked man by the rest of the league, at least that's what former NBA forward Chandler Parsons thinks about Reaves.
“He's a really good player, and he's got a lot of hype now, Run It Back's Parsons said of Austin Reaves. “He's had a huge glow-up which puts a huge bullseye on his back.”
Reaves was a revelation in the 2022-23 NBA season for the Lakers. On several occasions, he was the best player on the team not named LeBron James and Anthony Davis. In 64 games that season, Austin Reaves averaged 13.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 3.4 assists while shooting 52.9 percent from the floor and 39.8 percent from behind the arc. It helped Reaves' stock when he shined as well in the 2023 NBA Playoffs, averaging 16.9 points and shooting 44.3 percent from deep in 16 games — all starts.
Austin Reaves will have a key role for the Lakers in the 2023-24 NBA season
His efforts were not lost on the Lakers, as the team signed him to a four-year $53.83 million contract in the summer with a player option for the 2026-27 campaign.
Although opposing teams are expected to have increased defensive focus on Reaves, he can still continue finding his spots and cracks on opponents' defenses with Davis and James still around.
Reaves and the Lakers open their season Tuesday night against the Denver Nuggets on the road.
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