Can Gaston Reaves make the leap next season?

KindCrippler2000 · Franchise Player Joined: 02 May 2003 Posts: 14267

Given the limited flexibility the Lakers have in terms of draft picks and cap space, I think a lot of their success next season hinges on Reaves' development as a player. I actually think he's good enough to average 17-5-5 on solid efficiency next season and win the MIP award. We all saw how good he was offensively, so consistency will be the key. Given his age (24), he's closer to reaching his physical peak than many of his rookie counterparts. What do you guys think?
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JUST-MING · Retired Number Joined: 23 Jun 2005 Posts: 40429

I see Austin Reaves more in a Shane Battier role. 10 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, a steal and a block.
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epic_ · Star Player Joined: 23 Jan 2020 Posts: 5797

What's Gaston?

AR is a player that I hope becomes an elite role player for us. Doing a little bit of everything while limiting mistakes.
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Ben

Aeneas Hunter · Retired Number Joined: 12 Jul 2005 Posts: 27030

Reaves is a nice story. He has NBA level skills on both ends. His three-point shooting could improve. However, if anyone expects him to become more than just a quality role player, they're being optimistic. There's a reason why he wasn't drafted -- he doesn't have high level skills or athleticism. I could see him being 7-8 in the rotation on a good team. Anything better than that would be surprising. However, I'm never going to say that a young(ish) player can't exceed expectations.
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lakersfan32 · Star Player Joined: 23 Jun 2005 Posts: 1907

tyler herro with d

danzag · Posted: Fri May 13, 2022 6:45 am Post subject:

12-3-3 while doing every little thing on the court

yinoma2001 · Retired Number Joined: 19 Jun 2010 Posts: 114891

First, some of his weaknesses.

1. his shooting is very inconsistent. Needs to be more of a 38-39% 3 point shooter IMO (he's around 32% now).

2. he needs to add strength as bigger guards manhandled him.

However, he shows a lot of promise to me. I think we need to use him more as a playmaker or at worst, a secondary playmaker (ala Draymond). He has played a lot of point guard in college, and we sort of took him off that to put him in a SG/SF hybrid role. On defense, he gets tons of charges and puts in great effort. Really love how we got him as a UDFA.

I can see him going for something like 12-13ppg/5/4 on 35% 3 point shooting next year. A little more playmaking would be great for him and he can hopefully be a long term piece we keep. He will be a RFA in 2023, right? And with a low cap hold, there is no excuse not to keep him. I hope we learned about being cheap about guys like Caruso.
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LBJ missed games:
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21-22: 26/82 (31% missed)

AD missed games:
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21-22: 40/82 (48% missed)

Lakers wins and win%:
20-21: 42-30 (58% win)
21-22: 33-49 (40% win)

venturalakersfan · Posted: Fri May 13, 2022 7:52 am Post subject:

He has made his leap, he is who he will be. He isn’t some 18 yo player, his ceiling is where he is. I would expect some refinement around the edges but gaining strength and endurance should be his targets. He definitely is a rotational player.
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yinoma2001 · Retired Number Joined: 19 Jun 2010 Posts: 114891

Dennis100mtrash · Star Player Joined: 01 Jun 2021 Posts: 2219

venturalakersfan · Posted: Fri May 13, 2022 8:00 am Post subject:

CandyCanes · Posted: Fri May 13, 2022 9:49 am Post subject:

Only if the Beast doesn’t win Belle’s heart first.
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kobe8One · Starting Rotation Joined: 23 May 2011 Posts: 589

Is he better than Caruso as a rookie?

Looked at Caruso today. Just hope Jeannie opens her wallet when we need to resign Reaves. If he can knock down open threes, he will be very valuable.

KindCrippler2000 · Franchise Player Joined: 02 May 2003 Posts: 14267

activeverb · Retired Number Joined: 17 Jun 2006 Posts: 33660

venturalakersfan · Posted: Fri May 13, 2022 10:53 am Post subject:

ContagiousInspiration · Posted: Fri May 13, 2022 11:33 am Post subject:

kobe8One · Starting Rotation Joined: 23 May 2011 Posts: 589

danzag · Posted: Fri May 13, 2022 11:59 am Post subject:

CandyCanes · Posted: Fri May 13, 2022 12:16 pm Post subject:

TDRock · Posted: Fri May 13, 2022 12:17 pm Post subject:

Can I just say how many times I read the title to this thread before I realized we were talking about Austin?

#FREEALJR

Mike@LG · Posted: Fri May 13, 2022 3:14 pm Post subject:

activeverb · Retired Number Joined: 17 Jun 2006 Posts: 33660

AD23 · Star Player Joined: 15 Jul 2019 Posts: 2636

I can see Austin being as good as Jeff Hornacek.

AD23 · Star Player Joined: 15 Jul 2019 Posts: 2636