Looks like Austin Reaves will have a great role to play next season if the Los Angeles Lakers win the title in 2024. It is absolutely inspiring to see the kid from Arkansas develop into a great player after only his second season in the NBA. Indeed, the Oklahoma Sooners kid had an inspiring journey so far, as nobody drafted him just two years ago. Moreover, the undrafted player in 2021 is now the third most valuable player in the Los Angeles Lakers.
Many experts believe if the Lakers have a chance to win the title next season, then Reaves has a big impact on the predictions. Austin Reaves impressed everybody last season with the way he adapts his game to any situation. But NBA writer Mark Medina opines none of the role players of the current Laker’s roster can prove to be very impactful. However, this opinion might not be applicable to Austin Reaves.
Fans And Experts Expect To See Austin Reaves Achieve Greatness
Even Medina knows the value of the kid, as he feels AR can be the standout player next season. The Oklahoma Sooners kid has the potential to be an All-Star. He can surely get there next season. Mark Medina puts his money on Austin Reaves to lead the Lakers next season despite the presence of LBJ and AD. Reaves is about to play only in his third season in the NBA. But already, people have started comparing Reaves to the greats of the game. In the FIBA World Cup, a fan said AR is greater than LBJ. In response, Austin Reaves laughed as he said, LeBron is the most complete player ever. But jokingly, he said that he planned to tease Bron about the comparison.
Hence, it proves that AR has proved that he is a complete player too. As per Spectrum Sports Net, Rob Pelinka wasted no time to call Austin Reaves in free agency to extend his contract for a long-term plan. Later, Reaves signed a four-year deal worth $56 million. However, it seems much lower as Austin Reaves deserved a $90-100 million deal. He could have easily signed a deal with the Houston Rockets or San Antonio Spurs for a better deal. But AR has always been a Lakers and Kobe Bryant fan. Hence, he wanted to sign a long-term deal with the Lakers.
The Lakers Apparently Look Deep And Balanced
Indeed, the Lakers have been very successful in building a pretty strong roster. It is deep and balanced, along with pretty much the same core of the last season. Moreover, the Lakers have the top two stars of the league, Anthony Davis and LeBron James. Then, they have Rui Hachimura, Reaves, D’Angelo Russell, and Jarred Vanderbilt from the roster of the previous season.
In the latest offseason, the Lakers acquired Cam Reddish, Taurean Prince, and Gabe Vincent. They have youth power like Jaxson Hayes and Jalen-Hood Schifino. But more importantly, they have a big Christian Hood, who’ll play alongside Anthony Davis to take some workload off the eight-time All-Star. Hence, there is no doubt that the Lakers are among the top favorites to win the title next season.
