Austin Reaves has taken his game to another level since the Los Angeles Lakers made significant roster changes at the trade deadline.
With D’Angelo Russell sent to the Brooklyn Nets and Anthony Davis traded to the Dallas Mavericks, Reaves has stepped up in ways few expected, proving that he can be a legitimate playmaker and scorer when given the opportunity.
His drastic statistical improvement is a testament to his growing role on the team, and the Lakers’ current position in the Western Conference standings further solidifies his impact.
– Before the D’Angelo Russell trade, Reaves was averaging 17.7 points, 4.2 assists, and 5.6 rebounds per game while shooting 44.4% from the field and 36.3% from beyond the arc.
He was an effective player but wasn’t given as much responsibility on offense with LeBron James handling the majority of the playmaking duties. However, since Russell was traded, Reaves has seen his numbers skyrocket.
– In the games following Russell’s departure, he has averaged 20.9 points, 6.8 assists, and 4.5 rebounds per game, showcasing his ability to lead the offense as both a scorer and a distributor.
The increase in production didn’t stop there. When Anthony Davis was dealt to the Mavericks, Reaves took on an even bigger load, further elevating his game.
– Without Davis in the lineup, he has averaged 23.4 points, 6.2 assists, and 4.8 rebounds, proving that he is more than capable of filling the void left behind.
Without Davis to anchor the offense and defense, the Lakers have leaned more on their perimeter play, and Reaves has answered the call with efficient scoring and improved decision-making.
Perhaps the most eye-opening stat is how dominant Reaves has been when LeBron James is out of the lineup.
– In the three games LeBron has missed since the trade deadline, Reaves has taken full control, averaging an incredible 29.7 points, 9.7 assists, and 6.3 rebounds.
While it’s a small sample size, these numbers show that when given the green light as the primary offensive option, he can put up All-Star-level production.
Reaves is currently enjoying a career year, improving on all his key metrics from last season.
This season, he is averaging 19.2 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 4.3 assists while shooting 44.6% from the field and 36.0% from three-point range.
His efficiency, playmaking, and ability to create his own shot have all taken leaps forward, making him one of the Lakers’ most valuable assets heading into the postseason.
Thanks in part to Reaves’ emergence, the Lakers have solidified themselves as a serious contender in the Western Conference. They currently sit fourth in the standings with a 34-21 record, putting them in prime position for a deep playoff run.
With Austin Reaves continuing to play at this level, the Lakers’ offense has gained a new dynamic, giving them another legitimate scoring option alongside Luka Doncic and LeBron James. If he maintains this level of play, Reaves could be one of the biggest X-factors in the upcoming postseason.
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