With NBA All-Star voting officially underway, the spotlight is starting to shine a little brighter on players who’ve taken their games to another level this season-and few have made a louder case than Austin Reaves.
Reaves is in the midst of a breakout campaign, averaging 27.8 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 6.7 assists per game. Those aren’t just solid numbers-they’re All-Star caliber, plain and simple.
He's not just filling up the stat sheet, he's doing it with consistency, poise, and a growing sense of command on the floor. For a guy who came into the league undrafted, this kind of leap is rare-and it’s turning heads across the NBA.
One of the biggest believers in Reaves’ rise? His head coach, JJ Redick. After Monday’s practice, Redick didn’t hold back when asked about his guard’s All-Star chances.
“I would imagine it would mean a whole lot to him,” Redick said. “Him and I have had discussions about how surreal it is for him to be playing at this level and in this position. I, obviously, absolutely think he should be an All-Star this year.”
Redick’s message wasn’t just about accolades-it was about recognizing the journey. He talked about the grind of an 82-game season, the challenge of staying locked in, and the importance of occasionally stepping back to appreciate how far you’ve come.
But he also made it clear: Reaves isn’t the type to coast. He’s wired to push, to improve, and to compete.
“He’s the type of player who consistently wants to get better, consistently wants more,” Redick said. “He’s willing to put in the work and he’s willing to then go out on the court and play hard enough to actually go for more. He’s proven that over and over and over again.”
That work ethic is paying off in a big way. Reaves hasn’t just improved-he’s elevated.
Every year of his five-season career, his scoring and assist numbers have climbed. That kind of year-over-year growth doesn’t happen by accident.
It’s the result of dedication, skill development, and a deep understanding of how to impact the game.
Despite the numbers and the upward trajectory, Reaves has never been part of All-Star Weekend. He cracked the top 10 in fan voting last year but didn’t make the final cut.
He didn’t play in the Rising Stars game either, a snub that clearly stuck with him. But if anything, those omissions have only fueled him.
Redick saw the potential early. In fact, one of his first conversations with Reaves after taking the Lakers job was a bold one.
“Our first conversation when I took the job was, ‘You’re going to be an All-Star,’” Redick recalled. “So, yeah, I believed it.
By the way, I’m not going to every player and saying that. I actually said it because I believed it.”
That’s not just coach-speak. Redick made it clear-he doesn’t hand out that kind of praise lightly.
And with Reaves putting together the kind of season he is, it’s not just a belief anymore. It’s a very real possibility.
If Reaves does get the All-Star nod, it’ll be a well-earned milestone in a career that’s been built from the ground up. No draft-night celebration.
No early-career spotlight. Just a player who’s kept climbing, season after season, until the league had no choice but to take notice.
For Lakers fans, it’s a feel-good story. For Reaves, it’s a testament to perseverance. And for the NBA, it’s a reminder that stars can rise from anywhere-sometimes even from the undrafted ranks, straight into the All-Star Game.