The Los Angeles Lakers have made it no secret how desperate they've been to find a sustainable answer at the point guard position. They've completed separate trades for the likes of D'Angelo Russell, Dennis Schröder, and Russell Westbrook, each time parting with a first-round draft pick.
While previously utilized as a shooting guard, it appears as though Austin Reaves is the answer to the Lakers' endless quest for stability.
Reaves has developed into one of the most valuable players in Los Angeles. One of the key elements of his progression has been his emergence as a shot creator who can generate offense for himself and others in isolation.
In 2024-25, Reaves has taken the next step toward stardom with a string of games that have revealed how legitimate his All-Star potential is.
Over the past nine games, Reaves is averaging 21.3 points, 8.1 assists, 6.4 rebounds, 1.1 offensive boards, 1.1 steals, and 2.4 three-point field goals made per game. He's doing so while shooting at an efficient clip of .453/.355/.863.
That's an encouraging development that should make Lakers fans giddy about the team's offensive options.
Lakers have their point guard in Austin Reaves
Reaves' recent run of form has been a wonderful example of how much potential he has to become a star-caliber all-around threat on offense. He's not only averaging impressive numbers, but stepping up situationally in the way the Lakers have needed him to in 2024-25.
That includes dropping 26 points and 16 assists to support Anthony Davis with LeBron James absent, and tallying 11 dimes to help James with Davis out.
Those two performances resulted in wins over the Sacramento Kings and Portland Trail Blazers. Perhaps that isn't quite as significant as a win over the Cleveland Cavaliers or Oklahoma City Thunder would be, but it's a clear sign of progress.
Reaves has been hesitant in the past, but in recent weeks, he's been far more adamant about getting to his spots and ensuring that his teammates are empowered to succeed.
Flipping that switch has been essential to helping the Lakers take a step forward as a team. Los Angeles is now 7-3 over its past 10 games, and Reaves' emergence as an aggressive playmaker and scorer has been essential to that success.
A fearless Reaves opens up the court for everything else around him, including Davis and James being able to pick their spots instead of having to force success.
Reaves' success has also enabled Max Christie to emerge as the 3-and-D threat the Lakers have believed he can be. It's a development that can't be overstated in its importance, as Los Angeles can finally afford to give the franchise players a break.
It's still a limited sample size, but the progress made in recent games has proven Reaves has the talent to be the point guard the Lakers have long pursued.