Austin Reaves found himself in unfamiliar territory as the main man in the Los Angeles Lakers\u2019 offense with both Luka Doncic and LeBron James out with injuries. Doncic has returned since then, but Reaves\u2019 performances in his absence proved that he may have what it takes to be the number one option for an aspiring team. However, things aren\u2019t as straightforward as they may seem.<\/p>\n
Reaves put up 50 and 40 points in back-to-back games for the Lakers, and followed it up with a game-winner against the Timberwolves, in what was the last Lakers game before Doncic returned to action. Since then, discussions about his abilities<\/a> and future have been rampant.<\/p>\n Many wonder whether Reaves<\/a> can be consistent in the absence of other said superstars. Even if he can, will the Lakers give him that max contract extension that he so desperately craves, and will he choose to continue donning the purple and gold?<\/p>\n Marc Stein believes so. He drew comparisons between Reaves and Jalen Brunson from three years ago, when the now-New York Knicks icon proved he could be a valuable player next to Doncic at Dallas before earning a move to the Big Apple. \u201cHe [Reaves] looks great with Luka, he looks great without Luka, you see them, they\u2019re getting along so well. There truly is already a friendship blossoming there,\u201d Stein said on the All NBA podcast.<\/p>\n That\u2019s where the difference between the Brunson situation and Reaves lies. Brunson was never a\u00a0favorite\u00a0in Dalla<\/a>s<\/a>. In New York, he\u2019s valued. Reaves already has that in Los Angeles, and he appears to be a key part of their lineup regardless of who\u2019s fit and who isn\u2019t.<\/p>\n \u201cLakers would obviously love to see this continue, and there is no sense at this point that Austin Reaves is looking anywhere else,\u201d Stein continued<\/a>. \u201cGoing undrafted and becoming a Laker has been tremendous for Austin Reaves.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n