Austin Reaves, an undrafted rookie who joined the Lakers during the 2021-2022 season, became the Lakers’ lead performer in the 2022-23 season. In his very first official NBA season, Reaves displayed his unwavering talent to earn a starter’s spot in playoffs. His clutches and occasional defensive plays made him a fan favorite in no time.
Reaves reaped his reward in this year’s free agency. The Lakers went extra lengths to retain him in a four-year $56 million deal, which made him the costliest buy of the team’s current off-season. While to many analysts, the deal seemed overpriced, the purple and gold viewed him as a potential future of the club. Amid this, Lakers head coach, Darvin Ham, has issued a bold statement that has sent the internet into a frenzy.
Darvin Ham Predicts Austin Reaves To Become An All-Star In The Near Future!
From being an undrafted rookie to an important part of the Los Angeles Lakers roster, guard Austin Reaves has come a long way. He witnessed a meteoric rise in a span of just two seasons. Reaves also possessed a great all-round talent. His high basketball IQ also set him apart from the mass. The only problem was the lack of chances. As the Lakers went into turmoil mid-season, they banked on Reaves to support the team to the least. However, the guard went on to exceed expectations. He took charge from the likes of LeBron James and Anthony Davis to become one of the top scorers on the roster.
Meanwhile, as the next season kicks off in a few months, Austin Reaves is expected to play as a regular starter. Lakers coach Darvin Ham recently made a bold claim on Reaves’s future. In a podcast, Ham said he sees Austin make it to the All-Star in the near future. Becoming an All-Star in the NBA is an exceptional achievement reserved for the league’s top players who consistently perform at an elite level. The coach’s statement indicates a high level of confidence in Reaves’ talent and potential. It also suggests that the Lakers organization sees Reaves as a player with a bright future and someone who can make a significant impact on the team’s success.
Skip Bayless Says Lakers Guard Will Win LeBron James His Fifth Championship!
Self-proclaimed NBA analyst, Skip Bayless, is often branded as a LeBron James hater. However, this time, he had some positive things to say about the veteran. He said that LeBron James has a high chance of winning his fifth ring next season because of Austin Reaves. Skip went on to heap praises on the guard. He said that he had never seen a player grow from college basketball to pro basketball so quickly. Bayless also believes that LA got him in a steal deal as he deserves nearly a $100 million salary.
Hence, Skip Bayless called the Laker’s free agency a hit solely because of Austin Reaves’s acquisition. Undoubtedly, Reaves is a highly talented baller and has the potential to become the next big thing in NBA. That being said, to win a championship, the whole team will need to put up a collective performance. The Lakers roster looks formidable on paper, as usual. But how much they can transfer it to the court remains to be seen.