There’s no questioning that Austin Reaves has evolved into a bright star for the Los Angeles Lakers. Earlier this season, Reaves emerged as a key figure for the team, efficiently helping Luka Dončić lead the Lakers to a hot start.
Lakers head coach JJ Redick said Reaves is now their number-two option, surpassing one of the NBA’s GOATs, LeBron James, in the team’s rotation. Given his talents, James and NBA legend Steve Nash recently discussed why Reaves somehow went undrafted when he entered the league in 2021.
LeBron James on Why Austin Reaves Went Undrafted
If it weren’t for Reaves’ Grade 2 left calf strain, many argue that he would’ve notched his first All-Star selection this season. The Lakers star has proven to be one of the deadliest players in the league today.
Looking at his numbers, Reaves is averaging 23.5 points, 5.5 assists, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.1 steals. He drew recognition for his fundamentals, footwork, and ability to create shots and slice through defenses inside the paint. It did not take long for the Lakers fans to adore him as one of the best players today.
However, that wasn’t always the case when he was still trying to get to the league.
Back in 2021, Reaves went undrafted and was signed by the Lakers during free agency. While many teams didn’t see his potential, Los Angeles undoubtedly seized the opportunity and struck gold.
In a recent episode of “Mind the Game,” NBA legend Nash was curious to learn more about why Reaves went undrafted in 2021. James then pointed out how there was a bit of racism and judgment in the way AR looked.
“You know why,” James told Nash when he asked about Reaves. “I know why. They look at him. They judge a book by its cover situation.”
James then explained how he saw Reaves’ potential, which led the Lakers to sign him in free agency. “I saw the talent,” James continued. “That guy I’m seeing… there’s no way (Reaves) would go undrafted.”
Fortunately for the Lakers, they had James to identify Reaves’ talent. The four-time champion is known to have a good read on things, which is why many acknowledge his high IQ in the game. Reaves is a living example of James’ smart mind.
Despite getting their nine-game streak snapped by the Pistons on Monday, Los Angeles is currently in third place in the Western Conference and on the verge of securing the No. 3 seed, giving them a better advantage in pushing for a deep postseason run. And at the helm of it all is the trio of Dončić, James, and Reaves.
