Tracking Austin Reaves' progress between 2023-24 and first season under JJ Redick

One of the greatest achievements of the Rob Pelinka era has been the discovery and development of shooting guard Austin Reaves. In less than four seasons, thee Los Angeles Lakers have turned an undrafted free agent into one of the better guards in the NBA.

With Reaves completing his first full month of regular season play under first-year head coach JJ Redick, a simple question thus beckons: Just how far has he come?

Reaves went undrafted in 2021, but it didn't take long for him to become a part of the Lakers' rotation. He appeared in 61 games in 2021-22, starting 19 and averaging 7.3 points in 23.2 minutes per game—an early indication of his capabilities.

Reaves took a massive step forward during his second season in Los Angeles, averaging 13.0 points in the regular season and 16.9 during the playoffs as the Lakers reached the 2023 Western Conference Finals.

Fast forward to 2023-24 and Reaves all but completed his ascension into the ranks of the top starting shooting guards in the NBA. He averaged career-best marks across the board, posting 15.9 points, 5.5 assists, 4.3 rebounds, 0.8 steals, and 1.9 three-point field goals made while establishing himself as a creative isolation scorer and playmaker who could carry significant responsibility on offense.

There are more important factors than statistics, of course, but the numbers tell a fair story of how his Lakers career has played out thus far—and how Reaves has fared under Redick.

Austin Reaves has taken stylistic steps forward under JJ Redick

Reaves has appeared in 19 of the Lakers' 21 games, missing the past two due to a left pelvic contusion. When he's been on the court, he's been featured heavily, playing a pivotal role in the team's success as both a scorer and a playmaker.

Entering December, Reaves is averaging 16.7 points, 4.8 assists, 3.5 rebounds, 1.1 steal, and 2.6 three-point field goals made per game on .440/.355/.774 shooting.

By comparison, Reaves was averaging 13.5 points, 4.9 assists, 4.7 rebounds, 1.0 steal, and 1.3 three-point field goals on .461/.316/.851 shooting entering December of 2023. In other words: Outside of his rebounding, and field goal and free throw percentages, he's increased his production across the board.

For that matter, Reaves is on pace to set new career-bests in points, steals, and three-point field goals made—and he's still learning the intricacies of JJ Redick's evolving system.

LeBron James has taken on a larger facilitating role, thus resulting in Reaves' production declining from 5.5 assists per game in 2023-24 to 4.8 in 2024-25. As the season progresses, however, that should even out with Reaves emerging once more as a featured playmaker.

In the meantime, a crucial element of Reaves' success has been his career-best average of 16.7 points per game.

The Lakers need to see more consistency and efficiency from Reaves, but the early returns have been positive from a scoring perspective. He's attempting 1.1 more field goals and 2.1 more three-point field goals per 36 minutes in 2024-25, and has stepped up late in games with huge shots.

Considering the Lakers are 4-1 when Reaves scores at least 20 points and 8-4 when he produces at least 16, it's safe to say they're on the right track with his evolution as a player.