Copyright Lake Show Life
The Western Conference has long been loaded with talented guards, resulting in many great names missing the All-Star Game nod they may have otherwise deserved. Austin Reaves is not expected to suffer the same fate, according to a recent ESPN analysis. Kevin Pelton wrote up a piece on way-too-early All-Star predictions for 10 rising NBA players. With Reaves off to an incredible start in 2025-26, the Los Angeles Lakers guard was tapped as a star to watch for the festivities. Pelton wrote, "No player has done more to improve their All-Star chances in the season's first two weeks than Reaves, who has taken full advantage of the opportunity created by injuries. ... [Reaves] would be a lock if he keeps up anything like his current pace as the Lakers get healthy." From an on-court perspective, this is everything the Lakers could have dreamed of. The only snag that Los Angeles may hit as a result is Reaves' next contract, which is quickly ballooning in the overall dollar value that will be attached to it during the 2026 free agency period. Austin Reaves' leap is making the Lakers' contract decision easy — but painful Any time Reaves' name came up in the rumor mill during the offseason, it did not feel as though there was truly that much traction to it. Rob Pelinka was not in the business of giving up his third star and it has quickly proven the be the right decision by the Lakers president. All Reaves had to do if he wanted to secure a proper payday in the offseason was maximize the opportunity with LeBron James out of the lineup. The expanded role has undoubtedly led to an expanded bank account. Reaves has averaged 31.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, 9.3 assists, and 1.4 steals, with shooting splits of 49-34-90, during 37.9 minutes per game thus far. Not only did the Lakers star make up for the absence of James, the former undrafted player was able to step up when Luka Doncic was out of the lineup too. Lakers fans have always known Reaves had major upside that the rest of the NBA was not as ready to believe in. However, even the most faithful in Los Angeles may have been taken aback by just how much more ability was stowed away inside of the 27-year-old.
