Austin Reaves is posting career-high numbers in his fourth season despite playing alongside Luka Doncic and LeBron James.
The Los Angeles Lakers guard is averaging 20.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 5.8 assists in 34.9 minutes per game, making him one of the most productive complementary scorers in the Western Conference.
That development hasn’t gone unnoticed by sports media personality Bill Simmons, who said Reaves is already operating at a level where he could eventually average 25 points per game.
“I can’t believe how good [Reaves] is offensively,” Simmons said on The Bill Simmons Podcast this week, via ClutchPoints.
He emphasized that Reaves’ usage and trust within the offense is rare for someone sharing the floor with two of the league’s highest-usage players.
“To the point where he’s on a team with LeBron and Luka and not only does his coach think it’s a good idea to run stuff through Austin Reaves, but LeBron and Luka are like, ‘We should run stuff through Austin Reaves.’ That’s the level he’s at,” Simmons said.
Reaves’ production has surged this season following a major roster shift in Los Angeles.
The Lakers traded Anthony Davis to Dallas in a blockbuster deal that brought Doncic to Los Angeles before the trade deadline, creating one of the league’s most ball-dominant trios.
Despite the high-usage combination, Reaves has maintained an efficient role in the offense, shooting 45.8 percent from the field and 37.4 percent from three-point range.
His playmaking has also improved, with his assist average climbing from 5.5 last season to 5.8 this year.
Los Angeles currently sits third in the Western Conference at 48–30, trailing only the Thunder and Rockets.
The Purple and Gold are averaging 113.4 points per game while giving up 112.1, with Reaves contributing to both ends.
His ability to create offense both on and off the ball has helped smooth the on-court fit with Doncic and James.
Reaves, 26, went undrafted in 2021 but has since developed into a key offensive piece under head coach JJ Redick.
His confidence and poise in halfcourt sets have earned him the green light in late-game situations.
Whether or not he ever averages 25 points in a full season, Reaves has already exceeded expectations and carved out a central role in a star-heavy lineup.
The former Oklahoma Sooner has steadily increased his scoring in each of his four seasons, climbing from 7.3 points per game as a rookie to his current 20.2 average.
