Austin Reaves has solidified himself as a necessary piece of the Los Angeles Lakers’ championship aspirations. Rob Pelinka expressed confidence in Reaves’ means to thrive alongside two of the best gamers of all-time in LeBron James and Luka Doncic.
“My principle is basketball geniuses that like to win, discover methods to work and click on collectively,” Pelinka advised ESPN. “And we knew LeBron was a basketball savant, needs to win on the highest degree. Clearly Luka Doncic, basketball savant, needs to win on the highest degree. And AR is coming into his personal there. He will get the sport, he sees it. He can match, actually, with anyone.”
The undrafted guard has exceeded all expectations, significantly throughout a latest five-game stretch the place he scored 30+ factors 4 occasions and set a franchise report with 15 three-pointers throughout two consecutive video games.
One Western Convention government advised ESPN, “He is the most effective undrafted participant since Ben Wallace, and that man’s a Corridor of Famer.”
Doncic’s arrival has created a good surroundings for Reaves, as opponents now assign their strongest defenders elsewhere. This has allowed Reaves to develop into extra assertive offensively, averaging a career-high 3.1 isolation performs per sport this season, a determine that has jumped to 4.5 isolation performs per sport since Doncic joined the workforce.
“I simply need to win and I really feel like anytime I am on the court docket versus off the court docket, I’ve a perception I actually can change the sport,” stated Reaves.
Reaves’ present four-year, $54 million contract has develop into one of many NBA’s finest worth offers. He’s eligible for a four-year, $89.2 million extension this summer time, which might change his $14.9 million possibility 12 months in 2026-27. Alternatively, he might wait till 2026 for a possible four-year, $98 million extension, or develop into an unrestricted free agent eligible for 25 p.c of the 26-27 wage cap.
Lakers possession has made their intentions clear concerning Reaves’ future with the group.
“The way in which he performs the sport, fights for each ball, sacrifices his physique, while you see any person like that, you possibly can’t assist however get drawn in and cheer for them,” Lakers governor Jeanie Buss advised ESPN. “And he was that from day one… he simply retains proving himself over and time and again…. We’re simply fortunate to have him.”
