Austin Reaves appears ready to save the Lakers from the mistake that rocked them

The Los Angeles Lakers are one of the most difficult franchises to criticize. They’re still prominent enough to draw criticism, but the record is simple: 17 championships and nine more NBA Finals appearances than any other organization.

However, if there is one area in which the Lakers have consistently lagged since the end of the Kobe Bryant era, it is player development.

The Lakers once knew the importance of balance, as evidenced by the championship they won after Wilt Chamberlain traded to Los Angeles for Jerry West. That continued as Los Angeles paired Magic Johnson and James Worthy with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Kobe Bryant with Shaquille O’Neal.

Los Angeles even developed Andrew Bynum into a player who started 41 of 46 playoff games as Bryant, Pau Gasol and the Lakers won back-to-back titles in 2008-09 and 2009-10.

Fast forward to modern times and it continued to ring true until the Lakers decided it no longer mattered. Kyle Kuzma was traded for Russell Westbrook, Los Angeles failed to re-sign Alex Caruso, and the franchise inevitably stumbled as it turned to free agency in its pursuit of depth.

As the 2024-25 season takes shape and JJ Redick puts his stamp on the franchise’s direction, Austin Reaves takes center stage.

Reaves signed with the Lakers as an undrafted free agent in 2021 and started 19 of 61 games. He appeared to take a significant step forward in his second year, but continued to come off the bench in favor of more experienced players such as Patrick Beverley, Troy Brown Jr., Dennis Schröder and Lonnie Walker IV.

Even in the 2023-24 season, when Reaves posted career-best averages in all box score statistical categories, he was unceremoniously benched for 25 games.

In 2024-25, there’s no doubt where Reaves stands in the Lakers’ hierarchy. By traditional definition, he is the clear third star, supporting Anthony Davis and LeBron James as a tertiary scorer and play initiator.

Beneath the surface, however, Reaves has shown signs of emerging as the No. 2 prospect on the night — a change that would help the 39-year-old James more easily navigate the regular season.

Reaves is currently averaging 18.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, 6.0 assists, 1.3 steals, 0.7 blocks and an absurd 2.7 offensive rebounds. It’s only been three games, but that’s a clear reflection of how balanced his impact was at the start of the season.

Reaves flies all over the field, building up possession and setting up his teammates while knocking down shots of great difficulty.

It’s the development the Lakers desperately needed as a team with two franchise players on max contracts. After getting in on the ground floor with Reaves, the Lakers were able to sign him to a bargain deal as his rise began. He is owed just $26,913,936 over the next two seasons before inevitably declining his player option for 2026-27 in search of a bigger deal.

With his individual quality of play, his ability to pressure James and his team-friendly contract, Reaves saves the Lakers from the neglect they had previously shown towards internal development.