If the last three seasons are any indication, simply having LeBron James and Anthony Davis on the court is not enough for the Lakers to reach their goals.
General manager Rob Pelinka has shuffled the supporting cast for much of the James era, including a total overhaul of the bench at this season's trade deadline, but one of the most impactful additions has been a player whose arrival didn't make any headlines.
Austin Reaves has emerged as one of the most critical scorers not named James or Davis on the Lakers, and he immediately rose to the occasion in his first NBA playoff game.
Austin Reaves: “I’m Him.” 🗣️🗣️🗣️
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) April 16, 2023
pic.twitter.com/A6LyCBSzyo
Reaves finished with 23 points, four assists and three rebounds in LA's 128-112 series-opening victory over the Grizzlies in Memphis.
Here's what you need to know about how Reaves ended up in Los Angeles.
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Where did Austin Reaves go to college?
Reaves spent two seasons at Wichita State before transferring to Oklahoma. He played just before the transfer portal was introduced, so he was forced to sit out a year before playing two seasons with the Sooners.
Reaves blossomed into the centerpiece of Oklahoma's team. He averaged 14.7 points per game in his first season with the Sooners before scoring 18.3 points per game in his final season.
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While he barely shot above 30 percent from 3-point range in his final OU season, the Arkansas native still managed to shoot 44.3 percent from the field. He also set career highs in rebounds and assists.
Reaves' final impression at Oklahoma was a strong one. He scored 27 points on 10-of-13 shooting against undefeated Gonzaga in the second round of the 2021 NCAA Tournament.
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When was Austin Reaves drafted?
Reaves went undrafted in 2021. The Lakers signed him to a two-way contract five days after the draft and converted his deal to a standard NBA contract during training camp the following month.
While undrafted players signed to two-way contracts typically find themselves in the G League at the start of their career, Reaves quickly found a role off the Lakers' bench. He averaged 7.3 points per game as a rookie, shooting 45.9 percent from the field. He even earned 19 starts.
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The Lakers' struggles helped open a path to more playing time, and Reaves has proven to be indispensable this season with 13 points per game on 52.9 percent shooting.
Reaves' 5.4 win shares are more than 50 of the 60 players drafted in 2021. While the Lakers have made their share of questionable moves since winning the Finals in 2020, the quiet addition of Reaves is proving to be one of Pelinka's major wins.
