Austin Reaves Discussion: How Much Is He Worth?

I had mentioned toward the end of last season trading AR. But, I'm on the bandwagon now. Love that dude. Definitely a keeper. Laravia, Smart, and Ayton have shown to be good offseason upgrades too. I'm really starting to dig this team. AR needs to stay long term.

 

That's such weak s*** haven't you got enough humility to get excited he IS this good now regardless of what happens and enjoy the ride. Instead of jonzing for some wet dream of a more perfect player, as they ALL have flaws. Enjoy the ride. Or is it you do, and just have to play the cynic on LB?

 

It seems to me AR has learned from Luka, in addition to his own deep offensive repertoire, how to not have to work at pedal to the metal speed as much. At times he looks like Luka out there relaxed, probing and changing directions at different speeds confident he has control of the ball. Getting where he wants to go and distributing the hell out of the ball as well as scoring it in elite ways. The added strength helps.

 

NBA 2025-26 Season Leaders

Assists per game
2. AUSTIN REAVES 10.0

Points per game
4. AUSTIN REAVES 34.2

 

Those 10 assist per game are the most incredible stat in my opinion, because he's the first option of our offense in terms of volume and scoring but he's also able to activate all the other players.

He's actually playing at SGA level, let be honest.
I'm not saying he's at that level of player quality, I'm talking about performances.

 

Getting his team mates involved is huge for the moral and team chemistry

A little bit of Magic and Manu

 

They told me Desmond Bane was better

 

Yeah. He's been better than SGA so far this season.




And that's with SGA playing 4 overtimes.
And the comparison looked even better a game ago:

 

I’m starting to feel like Austin has turned into my generation’s version of Jerry West.
I don’t ever see him being traded and I hope he remains within the organization even after he retires.

 

nobody expected this kind of a jump, just an incredible start

Also, greatest closer of all time apparently lol

 

His agent said it during the summer …. something like we weren’t going to believe how good he was going to be this year. I expected a big jump from him this year and why I fought all the trade talk to move him before even seeing what it was going to look like. But i didn’t expect all star level play from him right out of the gate or being able to carry the team for some wins with Luka, LeBron and half the team out with all the other teams focused on trying to stop him. Fearless and clutch performer …. beyond all the physical and connector skills …. another reason you don’t pine away hoping to trade him for an even better player just don’t know who LOL. Fearless and clutch under the white hot lights of Laker history and expectations is rarest of all and we’ve been blessed to have had so many players here with those qualities that we know what it looks like. Oh sure Mark Walters is going to as a first order of financial business make an even bigger and more unpopular mistake than not keeping the Eagle saying hold my beer. AR just hitting the start of his prime years and virtually same age as Luka doing the same thing who loves him, coach loves him and Laker Nation loves him.

 

LOL is that the same body that got used for the AC “shop” and got him drug tested by the mensas in the league office?

 

Is that ride going to be an early exit from the PO's? If so, I don't really like those rides. They make me vomit. I'm not looking for a perfect player, but my idea of team building is different than you, respectfully.

Quite honestly, @LTLakerFan, the only person who actually made me pause was @abeer3 with that Jamal Murray comparison — he came at it from a real basketball perspective.

Most people don’t even know the difference between a Ram action and a pindown, yet I’m supposed to take their takes seriously? Come on. Austin’s off to a fantastic start this season — he’s the main reason we stole two games without Luka or Bron when I didn’t expect any. But that doesn’t mean I’m ready to crown him the next “West, Goodrich, or SGA” off a small sample size, especially after how rough he looked in the playoffs.

Honestly, I’d argue he owes us these last couple games after how things ended last year. If he’s playing for his next contract, he should be showing up — and to his credit, he is. I’m all for him getting paid at a reasonable number on a descending deal that keeps the Lakers flexible. But if Rob maxes him? That’d be one of his biggest missteps to date.

If Austin keeps balling, great — maybe he becomes a real trade asset. Still a lot to be determined.

See how respectful I am? Now, let me go pay some bills.