Last season was an unmitigated disaster for the Los Angeles Lakers, but there was one bright spot: the emergence of undrafted rookie guard Austin Reaves.
He was initially expected by plenty of observers to be a project player, but he quickly proved that he belonged in the NBA and that he had a unique skill set that cannot be easily taught.
Reaves showed he can handle the ball, make things happen off the dribble, hit open teammates and even make plays on the defensive end while displaying a visceral feel for the game.
This season, his overall numbers, especially per 36 minutes, haven’t increased. But they don’t tell the whole story.
He looks even more poised this season, and he has improved at least one key area of his game.
Reaves has improved his ability to score off the dribble
By no means is Reaves a bona fide scoring threat by NBA standards. However, when needed, he can put his head down and produce points for himself within the context of the Lakers’ offense.
He has shown the ability to penetrate off the dribble and convert layups and chippies. In fact, this season he has shown some more advanced moves, such as up fakes that freeze a defender.
AUSTIN REAVES, STOP IT BRO 🤯🔥 pic.twitter.com/YAJ3qKquui
— Lakers All Day Everyday (@LADEig) November 19, 2022
As a result of a somewhat more refined offensive skill set, Reaves’ shooting percentage is up this season to 49.4 percent, compared to 45.9 percent last season.
Reaves is becoming a dependable 3-point shooter
At times last season, Reaves seemed to have the ability to become a good standstill or spot-up 3-point shooter, but he was inconsistent and finished the year at just 31.7 percent from downtown, which is very poor.
But so far this season, he is up to 37.5 percent from that distance, and he has hit at least two treys in six of the Lakers’ 14 games.
On wide-open 3-pointers (defined by NBA.com as being at least six feet from the nearest defender), Reaves shot 34.8 percent last season. This season, he has improved that mark to 42.3 percent.
When his nearest defender is four to six feet away (defined as “open”), he has improved from 21.4 percent to 25.0 percent.
He still has some work to do before he gains the reputation as a bona fide sniper, but it appears he has already made plenty of progress in that department.
When combined with his ability to be a secondary ball-handler and find open teammates, Reaves could be developing into something of a Swiss Army knife for L.A.
During the team’s win over the Detroit Pistons on Friday, the 24-year-old even showed some leadership with the game on the line.
“We’re in the bonus.”
Austin Reaves was letting the entire team know they were in the bonus with 8:00 to go in the 4Q.
AD proceeded to hit 8 FTs en route to 16 points in the 4th to close out the Pistons. 💯 pic.twitter.com/WoWQX24Vxp
— Lakers All Day Everyday (@LADEig) November 19, 2022
Since the Lakers lack trade and draft capital, they must do whatever they can to develop some diamonds in the rough.
As far as Reaves is concerned, they’re succeeding.
