Austin Reaves isn’t chasing empty numbers. Speaking with the New York Times, the Lakers guard said he believes he has the talent to become an All-Star, but he wants to do it the right way: by winning alongside Luka Doncic and LeBron James rather than putting up big stats on a losing team.
“I feel like I could be an All-Star,” said Reaves. “But all of that is, in my opinion, relative. Thank God I play with Luka and LeBron. I don’t want to be in a situation where I’m just going out chucking, getting numbers. If that’s the map for me to be an All-Star, I don’t care about that.”
In another situation, with another team, Reaves might be able to achieve All-Star status in the NBA. At 27 years old, he’s just entering the prime of his career but Reaves is more focused on winning than maximizing his own star potential. It’s a show of maturity, humility, and dedication to winning that is rare to see for someone his age.
“I wanna win,” said Reaves. “If that means to be, ‘a third option’ to what I’m doing what I did last year, but we were having a chance to compete in the playoffs and compete for championships, then I would prefer that much more than even being an All-Star.”
Alongside LeBron James and Luka Doncic, space is limited for Austin Reaves’ role on the Lakers. Since his NBA debut in 2021, he has become a more reliable third option, keeping the offense in rhythm and taking pressure off the main star duo. Still, with averages of 20.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 5.8 assists per game last season, many have wondered if Reaves would thrive in a bigger role, with more opportunities.
At the very least, with a $14.9 million player option for the 2026-27 campaign, Reaves will have a chance to re-evaluate his future next summer and it could make him one of the league’s highest-paid shooting guards. While some reports indicate Reaves could command up to $40 million per year, his true value will be determined this season, which marks his fifth in the NBA.
As a team in win-now mode, the Lakers are determined to keep Reaves, but it must be at an affordable price. The good news is, Austin may be willing to take a discount if the Lakers show that they can compete with their current roster. After finishing third in the West last season, the Lakers are aiming for another top-three finish and it might be enough to earn Reaves’ loyalty.
For better or worse, the upcoming season is going to decide the future of the Lakers and how Austin Reaves fits into their long-term plans. As nice as being a star might be, Reaves is content to stick around as the third option in Los Angeles if it means a chance to compete at the highest levels. That puts pressure on the Lakers to stay competitive and look for ways to improve. In return, the franchise gets to keep Reaves around on a discount as a sidekick and premium teammate next to Doncic for years to come.
It’s a truly beneficial partnership for both sides and just goes to show the kind of culture the Lakers have cultivated within their franchise. They have winners and players who are willing to sacrifice some of their own wealth for the sake of achieving basketball glory with their teammates.
In the end, while Austin Reaves might never be the biggest star on the Lakers, his mindset shows exactly why he’s so valuable. By prioritizing winning over accolades, he’s become the perfect complement to LeBron James and Luka Doncic, and that could keep him in Los Angeles for years to come.
