2. Make sure Austin Reaves has a role in the rotation
To be honest, I did not expect Austin Reaves to have any sort of impact on the Los Angeles Lakers this season. While he had signs of being a hidden gem find for the Lakers, he still is an undrafted rookie that is playing on a team that is full of veteran players.
If anything, Reaves could have taken the experience of being on the Lakers this season and utilized it to become a rotation player in the future. With how he has played in the first three games, I would argue that Reaves deserves a role in the rotation, even when some injured players get back.
Reaves should not get a big role and should be reserved to non-impactful minutes but the Lakers would benefit from getting his feet wet. Not only will it help his development in the league but it will allow the Lakers to analyze Reaves’ progression and whether or not he is ready for a bigger role in case of injury or poor play from other role players.
Reaves did not play in the first game of the season but he did play 12 minutes against Phoenix and just under 18 minutes against Memphis. He scored a combined 12 points with three assists while making five of eight shots in those 30 minutes.
More importantly, Reaves did this while playing alongside the most important players on the Lakers. Vogel turned to Reaves in the fourth quarter against Phoenix and he shared the court alongside Russell Westbrook, Carmelo Anthony, LeBron James and Anthony Davis.