Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves is a big reason why LA is off to a Western Conference-best 10-2 start to the 2026-27 campaign.
Reaves has played like a worthy Robin (perhaps an overqualified one, actually) to early-season MVP frontrunner Luka Doncic, and AR's shown the ability to step up when Doncic sits. On November 8 against the Detroit Pistons, with Doncic resting, Reaves produced a 43-point masterclass on 14-of-27 shooting (4-of-6 from three, 11-of-11 from the line) to lead the Lakers to an upset victory on the road.
Reaves is averaging a career-best 25.3 points per game through 11 games played. That's the kind of figure that usually lands players on All-Star teams or even All-NBA lists.
Which begs the question ... can Reaves make All-NBA for the first time in his career in 2026-27? The answer is yes, but there are three things AR must do to make that happen, or give himself the best chance.
3 boxes Austin Reaves must check to give himself a case for All-NBA
1. Stay healthy
This is a logistical situation. Reaves must meet the 65-game threshold required for All-NBA eligibility. It's a pertinent topic to bring up because Reaves has only met that threshold in two out of his five NBA seasons before the current one. His fearless attacks to the basket and willingness to put his body on the line defensively by taking charges or mixing it up on the glass can lead to injury. Reaves shouldn't change the way he plays, but he and the Lakers' staff need to do whatever it takes to protect and conserve his body.
2. Get his assist and rebounding numbers up
Reaves' PPG average and elite efficiency (he was a 50/40/90 guy entering Wednesday), paired with the Lakers' team success, put him in position to make All-NBA if those numbers are sustained (or close).
But voters might choose a more all-around player with higher assist and rebound numbers for All-NBA, even if that player averages fewer points on worse efficiency compared with Reaves.
Reaves can prevent that situation by getting his assist and rebounding figures closer to his 2025-26 totals. He's currently averaging about one less assist and one less rebound per game as compared with last year.
This isn't a call for Reaves to statpad; rather, it's a reminder that he needs to stay active on the glass and continue to playmake while limiting turnovers. Doing those things helps the Lakers; it's not just about advancing his own agenda.
3. Avoid cold spells or huge dud games
Reaves is still prone to a sub-15-point game every now and then. He hasn't had one this year yet, but he did have a 16-point game against the Clippers.
All-NBA guys are known for being consistent. There's room for mediocrity every now and then, but there's not room for multiple complete stinkers. These types of players are just too valuable to their teams, and they deliver consistent production.
That's the next step for Reaves. We know that he's capable of exploding for 40, but can he also avoid the bad games where he just looks like another role player? If he can't, voters will use that against him as evidence that he's still not in the highest tier of NBA stars.
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