March 18, 2025: A New Chapter in L.A.
It’s a Tuesday afternoon, March 18, 2025, and the Lakers are riding high after a gritty overtime win against the Knicks last week. LeBron’s still doing LeBron things, Luka Dončić is settling into his new purple-and-gold digs, and Anthony Davis is holding down the paint. But there’s another name buzzing around Crypto.com Arena these days: Austin Reaves. The undrafted kid from Arkansas, once a long shot just to make the roster, is turning heads big time. Posts on X are hyping him up, fans are chanting his name, and even the old heads are starting to whisper, “This guy might be the real deal.” So, is Austin Reaves the Lakers’ rising star? Let’s dig into it.
From Nowhere to Now
Reaves’ story is the kind you’d see in a feel-good sports flick. Born in Newark, Arkansas population barely 1,200 he grew up on a 300-acre farm where the nearest excitement was his mom fishing in the pond. Basketball was his thing from the jump, sparked by his big brother Spencer, who hoop it up too. His folks, Nicole and Brian, both balled at Arkansas State Mom averaged 21 points a game, Dad dished out assists like candy so the genes were there. High school was where he started turning heads, dropping 73 points in a triple-overtime thriller and leading Cedar Ridge to back-to-back state titles. By his senior year, he was averaging 32.5 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 5.1 assists, snagging MVP honors in the Class 3A tournament with a ridiculous 43.3-point average over four games. Kid had game.
College took him to Wichita State, then Oklahoma, where he polished his skills crafty handles, a smooth jumper, and a knack for big moments. But the 2021 NBA Draft? Crickets. Nobody called his name. Detroit sniffed around at 42, but Reaves bet on himself, turning it down for a two-way deal with the Lakers his childhood team. August 3, 2021, he’s in L.A., a nobody trying to scrape by. Fast forward to his debut on October 22 against the Suns eight points off the bench in a loss and you could tell he wasn’t just happy to be there. He wanted more.
Breaking Out in Purple and Gold
That rookie year was a tease. December 15, 2021, he nails a game-winning three against Dallas 15 points, 5-of-6 from deep and suddenly people are like, “Who’s this dude?” By the season finale, he’s got his first triple-double: 31 points, 16 boards, 10 assists in a 146-141 OT win over Denver. The Lakers miss the playoffs, but Reaves is on the map. Year two, 2022-23, he’s a revelation 13 points a game in the regular season, then 16.9 in the playoffs, including 23-point outbursts against Memphis. He’s clutch, fearless, and earning nicknames like “Hillbilly Kobe” and “AR-15.” He hates the tags, but they stick because they fit.
Summer 2023, the Lakers lock him up four years, $56 million, with a player option for 2026-27. Smart move. He’s starting now, and 2023-24 is a leap 15.9 points, 5.5 assists, 4.3 rebounds, all career highs, plus an In-Season Tournament title. Then this year, 2024-25, he’s cooking. As of today, he’s averaging 19.1 points, 6 assists, and 4.2 rebounds, shooting 44.7% from the field and 36.2% from three. Standout games? How about 45 points against the Pacers on February 8 14-of-26 shooting, 13-for-13 from the line or 37 points, 13 assists, and 8 boards against Denver last week? Oh, and don’t forget Christmas Day, a triple-double (26-10-10) with the game-winner against Golden State. The guy’s got ice in his veins.
The Dončić Factor
Here’s where it gets spicy. This season, the Lakers pulled off a blockbuster, snagging Luka Dončić from Dallas. LeBron’s 40, AD’s in his prime, and now you’ve got Luka, one of the league’s best, running the show. Where does that leave Reaves? Early on, some wondered if he’d get squeezed out too many cooks, right? Wrong. He’s thriving. In seven games with Dončić, he’s still at 16.7 points, 4.9 assists, and 4.1 rebounds, meshing like they’ve been teammates for years. LeBron’s out with a groin tweak right now, and Reaves is stepping up case in point, that Knicks win last Thursday, 8 points and 6 boards in 32 minutes fresh off a calf strain. He’s not just surviving; he’s shining.
JJ Redick, the new coach, loves him. “There’s a nature to his game you have to live with,” Redick said after a sloppy-but-brilliant 35-point, 10-assist night against Cleveland in December. “The quick decisions, the bursts he’s special.” The Lakers traded D’Angelo Russell to Brooklyn in January, clearing the deck for Reaves to take the reins alongside Luka and LeBron. It’s a gamble, sure, but it’s paying off. He’s not a third wheel; he’s a third star.
Why He’s Different
Reaves isn’t your typical NBA hotshot. Six-foot-five, 210 pounds, he’s not the fastest or the flashiest. But he’s got this old-school grit think Larry Bird with a Southern drawl. He attacks with pace, reads the floor like a vet, and doesn’t shy away from the moment. Dave McMenamin from ESPN put it perfect: “He’s got the trust of LeBron and Luka, proven in the playoffs, and the Buss family loves him. Can’t imagine a better role player who’s more than that.” That trust? It’s earned. March 26 last year, no LeBron, he drops a triple-double (29-14-10) to beat Milwaukee in double OT. December 28, a career-high 16 assists against Sacramento. January 17 this year, 38 points to edge the Nets. He’s got the knack.
Off the court, he’s a throwback too. No wild parties just hoops and golf. Teachers told him in high school to find a Plan B, but he stuck to Plan A, naive or not. “Screw y’all, I’ll figure it out,” he said once, laughing about it. Now he’s got a shoe deal with Rigorer, a German passport from his grandma, and a spot on the 2023 U.S. World Cup team. From farm kid to L.A. star it’s wild.
Rising Star or Just a Solid Piece?
So, is he a rising star? Depends on how you define it. If it’s All-Star nods and MVP buzz, he’s not there yet. Nikola Jokić, Steph Curry, Luka himself they’re the headliners. Reaves is averaging 19.1 points, sure, but he’s not the No. 1 option, and that’s fine. The Lakers don’t need him to be. With LeBron and AD carrying the load, and now Luka’s wizardry, Reaves is the glue the guy who hits the big shot, sets up the play, and doesn’t blink. Seven 28-plus-point games this year, 17 with four or more threes. He’s not just good; he’s clutch.
But here’s the catch: his deal’s a steal at $14 million a year, and he’s got that player option in 2026. Word is he might turn down a $90 million extension this summer, betting on a bigger bag. Why? He’s outplaying his contract 16.9 playoff points last year, triple-doubles this season, and a knack for winning. If he keeps this up, he could hit free agency at 28, prime time for a max deal. The Lakers can’t lowball him like they did Alex Caruso he’s too good, too homegrown. Jeanie Buss knows it; Rob Pelinka knows it. They’ve got to pay up or risk losing him.
It’s a Tuesday afternoon, March 18, 2025, and the Lakers are riding high after a gritty overtime win against the Knicks last week. LeBron’s still doing LeBron things, Luka Dončić is settling into his new purple-and-gold digs, and Anthony Davis is holding down the paint. But there’s another name buzzing around Crypto.com Arena these days: Austin Reaves. The undrafted kid from Arkansas, once a long shot just to make the roster, is turning heads big time. Posts on X are hyping him up, fans are chanting his name, and even the old heads are starting to whisper, “This guy might be the real deal.” So, is Austin Reaves the Lakers’ rising star? Let’s dig into it.
From Nowhere to Now
Reaves’ story is the kind you’d see in a feel-good sports flick. Born in Newark, Arkansas population barely 1,200 he grew up on a 300-acre farm where the nearest excitement was his mom fishing in the pond. Basketball was his thing from the jump, sparked by his big brother Spencer, who hoop it up too. His folks, Nicole and Brian, both balled at Arkansas State Mom averaged 21 points a game, Dad dished out assists like candy so the genes were there. High school was where he started turning heads, dropping 73 points in a triple-overtime thriller and leading Cedar Ridge to back-to-back state titles. By his senior year, he was averaging 32.5 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 5.1 assists, snagging MVP honors in the Class 3A tournament with a ridiculous 43.3-point average over four games. Kid had game.
College took him to Wichita State, then Oklahoma, where he polished his skills crafty handles, a smooth jumper, and a knack for big moments. But the 2021 NBA Draft? Crickets. Nobody called his name. Detroit sniffed around at 42, but Reaves bet on himself, turning it down for a two-way deal with the Lakers his childhood team. August 3, 2021, he’s in L.A., a nobody trying to scrape by. Fast forward to his debut on October 22 against the Suns eight points off the bench in a loss and you could tell he wasn’t just happy to be there. He wanted more.
Breaking Out in Purple and Gold
That rookie year was a tease. December 15, 2021, he nails a game-winning three against Dallas 15 points, 5-of-6 from deep and suddenly people are like, “Who’s this dude?” By the season finale, he’s got his first triple-double: 31 points, 16 boards, 10 assists in a 146-141 OT win over Denver. The Lakers miss the playoffs, but Reaves is on the map. Year two, 2022-23, he’s a revelation 13 points a game in the regular season, then 16.9 in the playoffs, including 23-point outbursts against Memphis. He’s clutch, fearless, and earning nicknames like “Hillbilly Kobe” and “AR-15.” He hates the tags, but they stick because they fit.
Summer 2023, the Lakers lock him up four years, $56 million, with a player option for 2026-27. Smart move. He’s starting now, and 2023-24 is a leap 15.9 points, 5.5 assists, 4.3 rebounds, all career highs, plus an In-Season Tournament title. Then this year, 2024-25, he’s cooking. As of today, he’s averaging 19.1 points, 6 assists, and 4.2 rebounds, shooting 44.7% from the field and 36.2% from three. Standout games? How about 45 points against the Pacers on February 8 14-of-26 shooting, 13-for-13 from the line or 37 points, 13 assists, and 8 boards against Denver last week? Oh, and don’t forget Christmas Day, a triple-double (26-10-10) with the game-winner against Golden State. The guy’s got ice in his veins.
The Dončić Factor
Here’s where it gets spicy. This season, the Lakers pulled off a blockbuster, snagging Luka Dončić from Dallas. LeBron’s 40, AD’s in his prime, and now you’ve got Luka, one of the league’s best, running the show. Where does that leave Reaves? Early on, some wondered if he’d get squeezed out too many cooks, right? Wrong. He’s thriving. In seven games with Dončić, he’s still at 16.7 points, 4.9 assists, and 4.1 rebounds, meshing like they’ve been teammates for years. LeBron’s out with a groin tweak right now, and Reaves is stepping up case in point, that Knicks win last Thursday, 8 points and 6 boards in 32 minutes fresh off a calf strain. He’s not just surviving; he’s shining.
JJ Redick, the new coach, loves him. “There’s a nature to his game you have to live with,” Redick said after a sloppy-but-brilliant 35-point, 10-assist night against Cleveland in December. “The quick decisions, the bursts he’s special.” The Lakers traded D’Angelo Russell to Brooklyn in January, clearing the deck for Reaves to take the reins alongside Luka and LeBron. It’s a gamble, sure, but it’s paying off. He’s not a third wheel; he’s a third star.
Why He’s Different
Reaves isn’t your typical NBA hotshot. Six-foot-five, 210 pounds, he’s not the fastest or the flashiest. But he’s got this old-school grit think Larry Bird with a Southern drawl. He attacks with pace, reads the floor like a vet, and doesn’t shy away from the moment. Dave McMenamin from ESPN put it perfect: “He’s got the trust of LeBron and Luka, proven in the playoffs, and the Buss family loves him. Can’t imagine a better role player who’s more than that.” That trust? It’s earned. March 26 last year, no LeBron, he drops a triple-double (29-14-10) to beat Milwaukee in double OT. December 28, a career-high 16 assists against Sacramento. January 17 this year, 38 points to edge the Nets. He’s got the knack.
Off the court, he’s a throwback too. No wild parties just hoops and golf. Teachers told him in high school to find a Plan B, but he stuck to Plan A, naive or not. “Screw y’all, I’ll figure it out,” he said once, laughing about it. Now he’s got a shoe deal with Rigorer, a German passport from his grandma, and a spot on the 2023 U.S. World Cup team. From farm kid to L.A. star it’s wild.
Rising Star or Just a Solid Piece?
So, is he a rising star? Depends on how you define it. If it’s All-Star nods and MVP buzz, he’s not there yet. Nikola Jokić, Steph Curry, Luka himself they’re the headliners. Reaves is averaging 19.1 points, sure, but he’s not the No. 1 option, and that’s fine. The Lakers don’t need him to be. With LeBron and AD carrying the load, and now Luka’s wizardry, Reaves is the glue the guy who hits the big shot, sets up the play, and doesn’t blink. Seven 28-plus-point games this year, 17 with four or more threes. He’s not just good; he’s clutch.
But here’s the catch: his deal’s a steal at $14 million a year, and he’s got that player option in 2026. Word is he might turn down a $90 million extension this summer, betting on a bigger bag. Why? He’s outplaying his contract 16.9 playoff points last year, triple-doubles this season, and a knack for winning. If he keeps this up, he could hit free agency at 28, prime time for a max deal. The Lakers can’t lowball him like they did Alex Caruso he’s too good, too homegrown. Jeanie Buss knows it; Rob Pelinka knows it. They’ve got to pay up or risk losing him.
