Austin Reaves and the LA Lakers "big money" contract: The only thing I need is a chance
Austin Reaves admitted in an interview with HoopsHype's Sam Yip that signing a four-year, $56 million contract this season is actually a big step in his life.
"It's always been something I've done all my life. I was really betting on myself and believing I just needed one chance to shine," said Reaves.
"Just have to put in the effort and let time tell the rest. I will need to work harder to contribute to the team in the long journey to come. Everything is just the beginning, I did feel very proud of myself though.”
The 25-year-old has just had a dizzying breakthrough in his NBA career. He started from not being selected in the 2021 Draft, then was recruited by the Lakers and emerged as a "sub-double" last season.
Playing regularly alongside LeBron James or Anthony Davis, Austin Reaves averaged 13 points, with 3.4 assists and 3 rebounds per game with an efficiency at the 3-point line reaching 39.8%.
The national player played even more explosively during the Playoffs, bringing his stats to 16.9 points and 4.6 assists per game. He became a key element of the Crypto.com Arena home team, at one point becoming the third scoring pick on the team (behind LeBron and Davis).
Ahead of the start of the new season, Austin Reaves is expected to bring success to the Lakers after the team brought in rookies like Gabe Vincent, Cam Reddish, Jaxson Hayes and Taurean Prince, while retaining D' Angelo Russell and Rui Hachimura.
"I feel really satisfied with what we did. Overall, the team had a good season. We will prepare very carefully next season to compete for the championship," the player said. This share more.
Before joining the Los Angeles Lakers before the 2023-24 season, Austin Reaves is currently wearing the US national basketball team, playing a series of friendly matches to prepare for the 2023 FIBA World Cup finals.
Through three friendly matches, Reaves played well with many contributions in both attack and defence. Just like in the NBA, perhaps the only thing "AR15" needs is a chance to shine.
