The Los Angeles Lakers showed their faith in Austin Reaves as a legitimate No. 2 option this offseason by giving him a four-year, $185 million deal in free agency. Reaves was on one of the best value deals in the NBA, but is now a max player, and will have to continue his ascension to prove the Lakers\u2019 faith in him right. <\/p>\n
Reaves found himself hovering around All-Star territory last season. He finished the year with averages of 23.3 points, 4.7 rebounds and 5.5 assists on 49.0% from the field and 36.0% from deep. That has earned him a massive leap on the annual ESPN NBA Rank survey<\/a>, coming in at No. 37 after being ranked 60th a year ago:<\/p>\n 37. Austin Reaves Reaves\u2019 dream season was cut short in April by an oblique injury that, paired with Luka Doncic\u2019s hamstring strain, helped derail the Lakers\u2019 postseason. He was still rewarded with a four-year, $180 million extension to stay in L.A. and build the next era with Doncic after LeBron James\u2019 departure to the 76ers in free agency. The 6-5 combo guard has shown his ability to make plays for himself and others at a high level. The next step in him reaching All-Star status will be his continued improvement defensively and having health on his side like in 2023-24 when he played all 82 games. \u2014 McMenamin<\/p>\n Signature stat: Reaves is one of two undrafted players to sign a $100 million NBA contract, along with fellow Wichita State alum Fred VanVleet.<\/p>\n Fantasy projection: 23.4 PTS, 5.9 AST, 4.9 REB<\/p>\n The panel behind this list believe that Reaves is ready to make the leap into stardom with this ranking, and his year-to-year improvements up to this point make that a reasonable assumption. In five NBA seasons, Reaves has gone from two-way contract to fringe rotation piece to bona fide starter, and is now a borderline All-Star. At 28, there may still be room to grow. <\/p>\n Health, though, will be the biggest factor for Reaves moving forward. He played 51 games last season, missing two significant stretches with injury. And while he did play 73 games in 2024-25, he was injured at the end of the season and limped his way through L.A.\u2019s first round playoff series loss. <\/p>\n Reaves will likely need to play at least 65 games and be healthy in April and May to justify the max contract given to him by the Lakers this summer. And to justify the ranking given to him by the ESPN panel. <\/p>\n Reaves is the second Lakers player to make the list as Walker Kessler came in at No. 73<\/a>.<\/p>\n Lakers unveil Austin Reaves bobblehead<\/p>\n The Lakers unveiled a first look at their first Austin Reaves bobblehead fan giveaway<\/a> on Sunday, Dec. 27 against the Memphis Grizzlies.<\/p>\n The franchise is adding more in-season giveaways in 2026-27, and one celebrating their star second option was a must on the list. <\/p>\n
G | Los Angeles Lakers
Age: 28
2025 NBA Rank: 60<\/p>\n