Ranking Lakers’ Austin Reaves and the NBA’s best undrafted players
By Jason Reed
![Apr 16, 2023; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15) reacts during the second half during game one of the 2023 NBA playoffs against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports Apr 16, 2023; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15) reacts during the second half during game one of the 2023 NBA playoffs against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/f5f5535e68a99ce5029a6ab88bc1fe7df8db80d0a2c96bf5d4dd3dd1e903a94b.jpg)
1. Fred VanVleet, Toronto Raptors
Fred VanVleet has certainly played better basketball than he played this past season for the Toronto Raptors but it does not change the fact that he is the best undrafted player in the league today. That is why VanVleet is going to secure a bag in free agency this offseason, potentially as he leaves Toronto.
It was not even a bad season all things considered for VanVleet, he simply was not as efficient on the offensive end as he has been in previous years. The 29-year-old guard averaged 19.3 points, 7.2 assists and 4.1 rebounds per game but saw his field goal percentage dip to 39.3% and his three-point percentage dip to 34.2%.
Both of those metrics were better in his all-star season the previous year as he is the only player on this list to be awarded with an all-star nod. VanVleet undoubtedly has the potential to be named an all-star once again, especially if he finds the right situation this summer.
Compared to VanVleet, Reaves is already way ahead of schedule for the Lakers. VanVleet averaged 20 minutes off the bench in his second season, averaging 8.6 points and 3.2 assists per game. Reaves has already cleared that by a mile in his second season.
That should give Lakers fans even more reason to be excited about Reaves. Not only could he be on his way to soon usurping FVV as the best undrafted player in the league but he could end up having a much higher ceiling as well.
Next. 22 players the Lakers gave up on too early. dark