Two-Time Champion Has High Praise for Austin Reaves

Thompson added an important caveat:

“It’s going to be tough for him to make the All-Star team in the West, ‘cause you have so many good guards in the West who are so young and upcoming just like him. But, he’s close to being an All-Star-caliber player, ‘cause some nights he is.”

Fans clearly recognize Austin Reaves’ talent—enough to put him into the top-ten of fan voting for All-Star games. His breakout campaign last year—13 points and 3.4 assists per game on .529/.398/.864 splits—was enough to put him seventh in Sixth Man of the Year voting and 10th in the Most Improved Player race. This season, Reaves has continued to grow in several roles, either as a starter or sixth man. Through 71 games (46 starts), the 25-year-old has averaged nearly 16 points, 4.2 rebounds and 5.5 assists on .491/.378/.861 splits. In this year’s All-Star fan votes, he finished 10th among Western Conference guards (468,845).

Is Austin Reaves a “Borderline All-Star?”

With the way Austin Reaves has played so far in his career, Thompson’s “borderline All-Star” claim may seem valid at first glance. He has stepped up in big moments without LeBron James or Anthony Davis, and was one of the best Lakers during their run to the 2023 Western Conference Finals. However, as Thompson mentioned, there are plenty of other guards in the West who warrant consideration over him, from the clear stars to the up-and-comers.

But aside from the competition, Reaves must address other issues in his game before meeting such high expectations.

There have been legitimate concerns over Reaves’s defense. He is often exposed in defensive schemes, struggles to guard quicker players, and is purposefully hunted in matchups. Not to mention, Reaves has logged an unfortunate career-high in personal fouls, with an average of 1.8 per game. While Reaves is an offensive talent, he must improve his defense in the coming months.

And though Reaves certainly has the tools to be an All-Star-caliber player, his scoring output does not yet put him in the same category as some of his peers. Fans expect All-Stars to have high, consistent scoring nights, and Reaves has not done that just yet. He can either go for an efficient 20 or 30-piece, or he can score seven or eight points on horrid shooting splits. That variability is understandable when you’re playing next to LeBron and AD. However, even as a third or fourth option, Reaves will need to become more consistent before the potential “All-Star” talks hold weight. Still, there’s no denying Reaves has a high ceiling, and he will continue to be a key part of LA’s success.

The Last Word

While Reaves deserves Thompson’s high remarks, he is not currently a “borderline All-Star,” especially considering the high talent level in the West, particularly at his position. But with more development on crucial skills, Reaves could very well to an All-Star level sooner than later.