1. Austin Reaves
This one may be a bit premature, but Reaves shot 39.8 percent from 3-point range in the 2022-23 regular season. Combined with his playoff attempts, he made 41.1 percent of his 304 tires. The 6’5 guard finished 40th in 3-point percentage last season and just 23 qualified players shot over 41 percent.
Reaves made 40 percent of his catch-and-shoot opportunities and shot 41.9 percent when left wide open as classified by NBA Stats. There will be more attention on the 25-year-old this season, and he must prove to be an elite shooter.
Reaves improved this summer by playing for Team USA in the FIBA World Cup. His defense is something to monitor, but the 6’5 wing will continue to score and knock down shots. Can he be the third-best player on the Lakers for an entire season? Expect the franchise to give him every opportunity to prove he can.
The Los Angeles Lakers may be a shooter or two shy, and it could be a focus as the trade deadline approaches in February. They are all-in on winning a championship as LeBron James turns 39 in December. Can Los Angeles get it done? Only if they make their jumpers, play stout defense, and get one more superstar season out of King James.