Austin Reaves has gone to another level to start the 2025-26 season. The Los Angeles Lakers man is playing like an All-Star, despite often sharing the floor with Luka Doncic and LeBron James. And while there are doubters, Reaves has shut them up. However, Rich Paul’s NBA comparison for Austin has drawn fans’ ire.

The sample size at the moment is too small for anyone to say that Reaves has ascended to superstardom. But the signs are all pointing in that direction. Speaking about the USA Olympic Team, though, Rich Paul compared Reaves to a player that’s a tier below. He suggested that Reaves is at the same level as Norman Powell.

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Rich Paul asked if Norman Powell is a top 5 SG in the NBA

“The best 2 guards are on the Olympic team. Norman Powell isn’t on the Olympic team. Does that mean Norman isn’t a really good 2 guard? No. We take the best two guards to go win Gold… I would say Norman Powell is in that… pic.twitter.com/l5bTDQXy97

— Heat Central (@HeatCulture13) December 10, 2025

Powell is far from a scrub, but Lakers fans still aren’t having this comparison from Paul.

“Austin Reaves isn’t averaging 30 a night as a 3rd option to be compared to ‘Norman Powell’ bro,” one fan wrote. “Has Rich Paul watched any games this season?” another fan said.

“Rich Paul just chatting now, Norman Powell isn’t even in the same stratosphere as Austin Reaves,” a third fan said. “Is bro high during this interview, be so fr,” commented a fourth.

Miami Heat guard Norman Powell reacts after a basket against the Orlando Magic. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

“I would have agreed last season, but Austin has been on another level this year,” a fifth fan said. “That’s it, Bron needs to fire bro right now,” wrote a sixth fan.

Norman Powell has been at a higher level than Reaves every season until this one. However, Austin is a young star entering his prime, and Norman is already 33 years old. Additionally, the fact that Reaves is averaging 28.4 points and 6.7 assists per game this season does make it difficult to disagree with the fans on this one.

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