Just a few seasons ago, Austin Reaves was an undrafted rookie trying to carve out his place in the league. He wasn’t making headlines or racking up big minutes, but even then, the flashes were there-7.3 points per game in just over 23 minutes a night.
Not eye-popping numbers, but enough to make you think, *This kid might have something. *
Fast forward to now, and Reaves isn’t just a rotation piece-he’s a legitimate scoring threat, averaging 25.4 points, five rebounds, and six assists while shooting a clean 50.8% from the field. That’s not just growth-that’s a leap. And like most young players who make that kind of jump, Reaves didn’t do it alone.
In a recent interview, Reaves opened up about the early days of his NBA journey and the veterans who helped him along the way. One name stood out: Rajon Rondo.
“Rondo was probably the first one,” Reaves recalled. “Frank [Vogel] pulled me to the side and was like, ‘Anything you have a question for, if you don’t feel comfortable talking to the staff or whatever, talk to him.’
Because everybody knows his IQ for the game. He studies the game unlike anybody else.”
That’s classic Rondo. The guy has always been known for his basketball brain-whether it was orchestrating the Celtics’ offense en route to a title in 2008, or playing a pivotal role in the Lakers’ 2020 championship run. When he returned to L.A. for the 2021-22 season-Reaves’ rookie year-he may not have been the player he once was, but his influence was undeniable.
Reaves didn’t just sit next to Rondo on the plane for company-he was getting a crash course in how to really watch the game.
“We would have a game one night, and the next morning Rondo would ask me, ‘Hey, what happened at 5:45 in the first quarter?’ And if I didn’t know, it wasn’t good,” Reaves said. “He definitely taught me to watch film and do all the little things.”
That kind of mentorship is priceless. It’s one thing to be told to study film.
It’s another to have a four-time All-Star and two-time NBA champion holding you accountable for it. That’s how habits get built.
That’s how young players learn to think the game, not just play it.
And of course, there was another veteran presence that loomed large: LeBron James.
“Bron was someone else that was super helpful-every year, but really that first year,” Reaves added. “Anything that he could help me with, he was willing to do.”
When you’ve got Rondo and LeBron in your corner as a rookie, you’re getting a masterclass in basketball IQ, preparation, and professionalism. And Reaves clearly absorbed it.
The Lakers didn’t have much to celebrate that season-missing the play-in tournament was a low point-but Reaves was a bright spot. He showed grit, poise, and a feel for the game that couldn’t be taught. Now, he’s blossomed into a key piece for a team still chasing titles.
With his breakout season in full swing, Reaves is widely expected to opt out of his current deal this summer. A hefty payday-reportedly in the $30-40 million per year range-seems all but certain. The Lakers, for their part, are hoping they can lock him in long-term and continue building around his ascending game.
From undrafted to indispensable, Austin Reaves’ rise is a testament to talent, work ethic, and the value of learning from the right people. And if he keeps trending upward, the Lakers might just have another championship-caliber core on their hands.