Austin Reaves fills the role the Lakers have found impossible to address

When the Los Angeles Lakers hired JJ Redick, one of the very first questions was how he would help LeBron James extend his career. James has delayed succumbing to Father Time in unprecedented fashion, but at age 40, he needs the Lakers to ease some of the burden.

Fortunately, Redick and the Lakers appear to have found the answer to that James dilemma: fourth-year guard Austin Reaves.

Reaves has been one of the most compelling success stories in the NBA during his four seasons with the Lakers. An undrafted free agent who spent five years at the collegiate level and made his professional debut at age 23, Reaves has steadily improved and earned his spot as a full-time starter.

In 2024-25, Reaves has taken a giant step forward as both a scorer and facilitator, proving that James can afford to pick up the pace throughout the season.

Reaves is currently averaging 17.9 points, 6.2 assists, 4.3 rebounds, 1.1 steals and 2.6 three-point field goals made. He posts career-best marks in each of those statistical categories, as well as the 0.9 offensive rebounds per game. fight he counts.

Since missing five games in early December, Reaves has stepped up his game – and the Lakers are giving James a more defined place in the hierarchy.

Austin Reaves proves that LeBron James can change his approach game by game

Reaves, 26, returned to the lineup after a five-game absence on Dec. 13. In the 14 games since, the Lakers have gone 8-6, with the former Wichita State and Oklahoma star taking center stage in whatever way each game has called for.

During the 14-game stretch, Reaves has accumulated averages of 19.6 points, 8.0 assists, 5.4 rebounds, 1.1 offensive boards, 1.1 steals and 2.6 three-point field goals made per game.

Reaves has recorded at least 10 assists on six separate occasions during that span, with Los Angeles going 4-2 in those games. He has a matching six games with at least 20 points, with the Lakers once again posting a 4-2 record under those circumstances.

It’s been a wonderful example of patience paying off, as Reaves has even increased his efficiency, shooting 37.5 percent from beyond the arc over the 14 games.

The detail and coherence of his contribution is even more impressive than the numbers themselves. For example, after the Lakers lost a heartbreaking 117-114 game to the Detroit Pistons, Reaves put the team on his back with 26 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists as Los Angeles won 115-113 over the Golden State Warriors.

Reaves then tallied 11 assists to help Los Angeles bounce back from a loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers and posted 14 dimes to help snap a recent three-game losing streak.

It is characteristic of a player who not only steps on the field, but also in the dressing room. When the team is down and in need of a win, Reaves puts it all on the line and bases his strategy on what those around him demand.

The Lakers still need depth in the playmaking department, but Reaves is proving he has the tools to take the pressure off James moving forward.