Austin Reaves has become a central figure for the Los Angeles Lakers as the team navigates the complexities of his contract situation and their current season. Following an impressive hour-and-a-half long workout on the 23rd with Lakers brass, Reaves cemented his value to L.A. with that performance. He set down a clear marker that he wants a bigger leadership role. He recently concluded one of the most remarkable performance streaks in history. He dropped a career-high 51 points in a victory against the Sacramento Kings, followed that up with 41 points versus the Portland Trail Blazers, and concluded it with a jaw-dropping 28-point, 16-assist performance capped off by a buzzer-beater.
Jeanie Buss, the Lakers’ acting governor, joined a recent videoconference with Reaves. She was accompanied on the call by president of basketball operations and general manager Rob Pelinka, and coach JJ Redick. While on this call, management reiterated the need for and value of strong leadership on their teams.
“He basically pulled me in and was like, ‘Obviously this isn’t all on you, but take control. Be a leader,’” – Austin Reaves
His ability to elevate his performance on the court has drawn attention from teammates, including forward Jake LaRavia, who recognizes Reaves’ potential.
Yet, despite this success, Reaves has hit a wall of late. He sat out his third consecutive game due to a strained right groin. That absence played a huge part in the disappointing 122-102 loss to a severely undermanned Atlanta Hawks team. The lack of Reaves was particularly apparent as the team truly missed his tenacity and ability to score in bunches.
Despite all these moves, Reaves is still intent on contributing to the team’s overall success. He’s very much in love with L.A. and living there. He’s not available because he’s dedicated to the Lakers.
“At the end of the day, team success is going to help me,” – Austin Reaves
Talk of his deserved contract extension is getting downright spicy. To be clear, this is significant for one big reason — Reaves already rejected the Lakers’ first proposal. His current contract situation is significant both for him personally and for the team’s future. If he is paid 20% of the salary cap by the 2026-27 season, that would be nearly $33 million. His first-year salary of $41.5 million is a whopping 25% of that same salary cap. This puts Reaves in an interesting position personally and professionally as he determines his future with the franchise.
Reaves embraced continued talk from coaching staff about his ability to develop into a leader on the team.
“You kind of just hiding in the back is over. You have to take control and speak up and be a leader of this team,” – Austin Reaves
ESPN analyst JJ Redick provided important context for Reaves’ growth into this new role, impressing upon him the need to accept and own this responsibility. Redick stated,
“The biggest thing was him taking a step forward as a leader and recognizing that it’s as much his team as it is LeBron’s team or Luka’s team.”
Reaves’ growth as a player and person marks a transition in his standing with the team. At this point, he’s more than just an undrafted success story. Yet in hindsight he may emerge as one of the team’s most vital cogs for their expectations to come to fruition.
“And acknowledging that he does have innate, natural leadership skills and being able to tap into those more consistently. I told him, he’s out of excuses,” – JJ Redick
That could all change once LeBron James returns from injury. Don’t tell that to Reaves, who is fiercely focused on maintaining the momentum he created during LeBron’s time away.
“And obviously things will change when Bron gets back, but it’ll go back to, ‘What can I do to keep this train rolling?’” – Austin Reaves
Teammate Jaxson Hayes commented on Reaves’ character and leadership qualities, noting that he has become an integral part of the team dynamic.
“He’s a bit of that sarcastic a–hole that everyone loves,” – Jaxson Hayes
“But you can tell he genuinely cares about everyone on the team,” – Jaxson Hayes
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