Austin Reaves Discussion: Overachiever Who Underachieved

He's younger, more athletic, and a signficantly better defender than Reaves. He's certainly not the playmaker AR is but otherwise, he's a good offensive player too.
So you're flopping out playmaking for better defense and youth. That traditionally has worked very well with Lebron and Luka types

I certainly would prefer to watch/root for AR but that is a trade the Lakers would likely pull the trigger one for one

 

yeah, the whole conversation makes me feel weird. i have no interest in moving reaves. i was just trying to come up with what might move the needle.

i think his impending salary jump will move that needle. but now, no.

and i'm just repeating myself...

 

I can't count many players I would take over Reaves right now for the Lakers.

If he was a first option, he probably wouldn't be able to sustain this kind of performance so his real value comes in as a 3rd option where he will excel. It's the perfect spot for him where he's not going to be hounded by the best defenders every game but will still torch almost any player who isn't elite defensively. In a way, he reminds me a lot of what Kyrie provided Lebron with during the Cavs.

Bane, Banchero, etc., we have not seen them play as a legitimate 3rd option on a good team so you'll lose some value there although Banchero is obviously a better 1st/2nd option type player than Reaves.

The Indiana game was a perfect display of Reaves capabilities.

He'll be able to carry you a few games as the first option when he really has it going but he can easily just go back to being the 3rd option, 10-12 shots per game, 20 PPG, on good efficiency.

And I've noticed that his defense has picked up really well to where he's way above average. I think a large part of that is when AD was on the team, the defensive scheme was designed to funnel the players into AD and hope AD can defend it whereas with AD gone, everyone is making a concerned effort into packing the paint and contest the opponent's weak side three point shooter. And Reaves is a 6'5 guard who might not be the most athletic but he's got some farmboy strength in him.

It's a tough question to answer which is why I had to ask. Reaves is one of the most valuable Lakers player in quite some time, IMO.

 

hey, that’s not nice. Apologize.

 

Where do we think Austin ranks right now? Top 50? Top 40? The Ringer's running list has him at 65, which feels low.

 

Hey, there you are. You lined up those black olives yet?

 

I'm waiting for everyone to tell me how many.

 

One million!!!

 

I thought it was one whole can. With juice.

 

yeah, that was talked about. Knowing he hates them, even a small can would be good. 2.25 ounce. Anyone, I mean anything, with a stomach could eat that!!

 

Ok. I’ll get a 2.25 ounce. I’ll set the day and let you all know soon.

 

Reaves was not good tonight but good to see him back out there.

Definitely gonna need him to be ready for the C Bags tomorrow.

 

hahahahahahhaha