NBA: Reaves, the Lakers enjoy the country boy who scored 51 points for the Kings

Fifty-one points. The fifth Lakers player of the 2000s to score at least 50 in a single game. It’s not a new acquisition from Los Angeles, it’s a familiar and well-known face: Austin Reaves. “I am speechless”. He confirms himself as a man of doing, rather than of saying. He seems like the intruder of the Settimana Enigmistica in the world of show business – often cinema – of the Lakers. He’s a country boy, a proud product of Arkansas. It wasn’t expected that he would play in the NBA and it just wasn’t conceivable that he would become a star. And instead…

business

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Ok, easy but against the Sacramento Kings – you might say -. Well, the 27-year-old from 2021 to the Lakers first of all obtained them with sensational efficiency. Shooting 12/22 from the field, scoring 15 points in the 4th period, hitting 4 free throws in the final 32 seconds. Combining super performance with team success. It matters more that way. Then he added 11 rebounds and 9 assists to those 51 points, coming close to achieving a triple double. To put things in perspective, the yellow and purple franchise hadn’t shown a game of this magnitude since the days of Baylor, since 1963: then Elgin put together 50 points, 15 rebounds and 11 assists against Boston. There’s more. Reaves was the Lakers’ lifesaver on the evening when Doncic had to stop injured. The big boy who in college played at Wichita State and Oklahoma University, in the Midwest, on the outskirts of the stages of the universities with the most acclaimed names and locations, had to invent himself as the first offensive end of JJ Redick’s team which was also without LeBron James, who has yet to make his debut. No sooner said than done. Of course, the Kings are not title-worthy, but they have an important perimeter, with Schroeder, Westbrook, LaVine, Monk and DeRozan, dysfunctional talents next to each other, but of quality. In short, Reaves accomplished an authentic feat, even in the regular season. Because in front of his fans at the start of the season he doesn’t want to lose anyone. And for the Kings the Lakers are the historic enemy. But they hadn’t taken Reaves into account.

how much is it worth?

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He started from the bottom, with the Lakers. Playing Summer League. He didn’t have the physique or pedigree to “make the team” in theory. Only in theory, though. Because he demonstrated the offensive skills to be in the yellow and purple rotation and then the intensity to hold the field in defense. And along the way the mental strength not to give himself a headache from the sudden ups and downs of the mood of the Lakers, those who instead knocked out many yellow and purple with high-ranking names and athletic special effects that he wouldn’t even dream of. Reaves makes his way, he doesn’t rush. He has increased the amount of points he brings every season: from 7.3 four years ago it reached 20.2 last year. And now… He’s not a pure scorer. He knows how to pass the ball. Secondary game creator, perfect complement to Doncic to avoid straining the Slovenian’s neck. And an excellent rebounder: 4.5 per game last year, the screenshot of the competitive ferocity he demonstrates on every possession in his own half of the court. He doesn’t scale up in defense: he will never be a super athlete, quick or explosive, but he is 196 centimeters tall, knows how to read the game and puts his soul into it. It helps him limit the damage, at least. Of course, when the Lakers went out early in the playoffs, too early for the yellow and purple fans, it was easy to pin the blame on them. The charge? Less brilliant than the regular season. A scapegoat was needed. But in the playoffs the difference is made by the leaders of the pack: LeBron, Davis and Doncic, in the recent past of the Lakers. For better or for worse. The 2025 Lakers had an incomplete roster, a quintet supplemented by supporting players. When the spacing jumps and the doublings increase, those who pay the price are more of a Reaves than a Doncic. Naturally, the absolute value does not change, only the specific contingency.

him and doncic

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With a more central role in the Lakers project, Reaves “risks” being called up to the All Star Game if this continues. Redick saw him spend the summer in the gym working on his body, strengthening himself. And to say that the city of angels offers many temptations, but for a boy from Arkansas the gym is more than enough. Reaves did the Lakers a favor when he re-signed for “just” $53 million for four years two seasons ago. A contract with a final price, given the current figures. In two seasons they will have to renew it, this time the Lakers will have to break the piggy bank. Is it worth it? He doesn’t fuck with Doncic on defense, doesn’t it become too much to have to protect two players on the perimeter? More no than yes. In the sense that Luka, who has lost weight, is tall and still big, can now defend against anyone, whenever he wants. And Marcus Smart, “watchdog” if there is one, can cover both of them now. Reaves is the perfect third fiddle for a top team and with LeBron who seems destined to retire at the end of the season and who the new ownership no longer wants at the Lakers in any case, letting Reaves go, the old path for the new one, seems like an imprudent risk. Exchanging him then doesn’t make sense: for the amounts he earns you won’t get better or even more functional players.

the words

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“Fifty-one points? What matters is having won.” Reaves is better at shooting than he is at words. But the smile said it all, it revealed his happiness. Like a child caught eating candy, he knew he’d screwed up even by his underdog standards. “Am I like the great Lakers of the past? I have no words, I was watching them on TV. But tomorrow we have another tough match, we have to be ready.” Always on point. He doesn’t have the natural talent to give up for a moment. The Lakers imagine him as the future of the franchise and will be patient if some fans always ask him for more than he can give. Redick cuddles him with his gaze. Having…