The impressive performances from the LA Lakers this season come from a team who are expected to improve further in the future.
Even though LeBron James is 40, the LA Lakers have a bright future. This is not a roster clinging on for dear life to the final years of the superstar’s greatness, as it once appeared.
A lot of this comes down to the Luka Doncic trade, that has given the team new life, but the Lakers already had a lot of interesting talent developing on their roster.
One of which is Austin Reaves, a player enjoying a career-best season, currently averaging 19.7 points per game.
Austin Reaves has become the third star on the LA Lakers, and at times he has stepped up the order of importance, with LeBron James dealing with a recent injury.
Reaves’ recently became the first Laker since Magic Johnson with 1,000 each of rebounds, assists, and points during his first four seasons with the team.
He was recently picked out for praise on the Draymond Green podcast, with Baron Davis singling out his development.
Davis said: “He got confidence. He takes big shots, he makes tough shots. He can get to the bucket. He actually wants the moment.
He looking for you to leave him open, and the confidence that the Lakers and JJ Redick showing in him and turning him into a point guard. You look at that dynamic with him and Luka, that back court…”
Even before Doncic’s arrival, Reaves made his presence known, with a particular highlight being his Christmas Day game winner against the Golden State Warriors.
Davis believes that Reaves’ star teammates will make him an even better player, and believes big accolades are coming his way in the future.
He said: “And then you with Luka and LeBron every day, and you a young pup man, and you got that mentality already.
“He ain’t even touch his ceiling right now. He’s starting to learn how to pass, starting to play, to make more plays defensively. He’s leveling up. I can see Austin Reaves as an All-Star.
With full health permitting, the LA Lakers are near certain to have two All-Stars in 2026, LeBron James and Luka Doncic. This will be the case based on their reputations, and their near-guaranteed elite level of play.
For a third Lakers player to get the nod, Austin Reaves has to continue his development, but the team need to be soaring at voting time.
If the Lakers are the top one or two seed in the Western Conference at voting time, Reaves chances will be enhanced, and that could be the difference for him to be named an All-Star in 2026, for the first time in his career.
