In a recent interview on All the Smoke, Austin Reaves shared an intriguing revelation about his NBA journey. The 25-year-old shooting guard disclosed that he had the opportunity to be drafted by the Pistons as the No. 42 pick but decided to decline the option. Instead, he chose to pursue a chance with the Lakers, considering them as his second-best option behind the Milwaukee Bucks.
Explaining his decision-making process, Reaves stated, “Basically, we tiered teams. Best fit for me and L.A. was, I think, two on the list at the time. Milwaukee might have been one. But [the Lakers] were tier one, and I think Detroit called…”
Reaves and his camp strategically assessed their options, knowing that there was considerable interest in him for a two-way contract. As a result, they didn’t feel the need to rush and were willing to take the long game approach. While being drafted was undoubtedly a dream for Reaves, he focused on securing a roster spot with a team that best suited his skill set and aspirations.
“It was really, like I said, trying to put me in a position to be able to get roster spot,” he continued. “We knew that there was a high interest for a two-way [contract], so we really didn’t have to press and that’s what everything in the draft would have been from 42 and on would have been basically a two-way agreement. So we didn’t have to press and I didn’t really have to hear my name called either. Obviously, I wanted to, but it was all about playing the long game.”
After going undrafted in the 2021 NBA draft, Reaves signed a two-way contract with the Lakers on August 3, 2021. However, his talent and dedication quickly earned him a standard NBA contract on September 27, effectively becoming a full-fledged Lakers player.
Throughout his sophomore year with the Purple and Gold, Reaves showcased his potential, averaging 13 points, 3 rebounds, and 3.4 assists in 28.8 minutes per game. As the season progressed, his role in the team expanded, and during the playoffs, he further impressed, averaging 16.9 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 4.6 assists in 36.2 minutes per game. Reaves started in all 16 playoff games, proving his value to the Lakers.
The dedication and perseverance displayed by Reaves paid off significantly. On July 6, 2023, he re-signed with the Lakers on a 4-year, $53.8 million contract, a substantial leap from his previous two-year deal worth $2.5 million.
Austin Reaves’ story serves as a testament to the power of making strategic career decisions and staying true to one’s aspirations. By turning down the Pistons for the Lakers, Reaves carved a path to success in the NBA and secured a long-term future with the team he dreamed of being a part of.
