One of the biggest stories for the Los Angeles Lakers during the 2022-23 season was the emergence of second-year guard Austin Reaves as a prime-time player.
He instantly proved he had become a dependable, if not a very good, 3-point shooter, and he seemingly got better as the season went on. He eventually proved that he is also an excellent supplemental scoring threat, and he showed poise while handling the ball and facilitating Los Angeles’ offense.
Reaves is currently playing for Team USA as it starts to ramp things up ahead of the FIBA World Cup. While on the “Full Send Podcast” recently, he says he wants to improve as a playmaker (h/t Heavy).
“Really just being more of a playmaker,” Reaves said. “I feel like I can play the 1 at a high level, and just really proving that because that’s really the position I’ve played basically in my whole career until like kind of college in my last couple years. But that’s really it, and then just sharpening everything else just trying to get better overall.”
The undrafted Arkansas native is currently getting on-the-ball reps with Team USA. In addition, the Lakers reportedly plan on running him more as a point guard this coming season.
Given his work ethic and desire, perhaps Reaves will make another significant jump during the 2023-24 campaign.
