The LA Lakers’ impressive performance this season comes from a team that is expected to improve further in the future.
LeBron James is 40 years old, but La Lakers has a bright future. This is not a roster that sticks for a dear life in the last year of superstar greatness, as it once appeared.
Much of this comes down to Luka Donsic’s trade, which gave the team a new life, but the Lakers had already developed many interesting talents on the roster.
One of them is Austin Reeves, a player who enjoys a career-high season, and currently averages 19.7 points per game.
The Austin Raves become the La Lakers’ third star, and sometimes he strengthens a key order, and LeBron James deals with recent injuries.
Reaves’ recently became the first Laker since Magic Johnson, who has 1,000 rebounds, assists and points during his first four seasons with the team.
He was recently chosen for praise on the Draymond Green Podcast, with Baron Davis singled out his development.
Davis said:
“He’s looking for confidence that you can leave him open and that the Lakers and JJ Reddick will show up to him and turn him into point guard.
Even before Don Sic arrived, Reeves made his presence known, with certain highlights being the winner of his Christmas Day game against the Golden State Warriors.
Davis believes his star teammates at Reaves will make him a better player and believes he will receive great acclaim in the future.
He states:
“He’s still not even touching the ceiling. He’s beginning to learn how to make more plays defensive. He’s leveling up. Austin Reeves can be seen as an All-Star.”
With full health allowed, the La Lakers are almost certain to have two All-Stars in 2026 with LeBron James and Lucadon Sic. This is based on their reputation and almost guaranteed elite level play.
For the third Lakers player to get a nod, Austin Reeves must continue developing, but the team will need to spike in voting time.
If the Lakers are top one or two seeded in the Western Conference at the time of votes, Reaves’ chances will likely be strengthened, which could be the difference he will be named All-Star in 2026 for the first time in his career.