Lakers News: Writer Thinks This Player's Growth Could Elevate LA's Ceiling

He could be the key to their entire season.

Lakers guard Austin Reaves just finished playing for Team USA this summer, and now he is about to get ready to enter another season with the team. But this time, things are different for the young guard.

He enters training camp with massive expectations on his shoulders as the third-best player on the team. Reaves also has the weight of his new contract over him as well, so it should be a very interesting season for the young player.

But he hasn’t shown that he isn’t scared of the bright lights shining down on him. Reaves was special during the team’s playoff run last season, increasing his statistics promptly as the series went on.

Now, he is ready for another leap this season. And if he can do so, the Lakers will be a very dangerous team in the Western Conference this year.

“Heading into his third season, then, another leap in improvement could catapult the Lakers forward once more. Reaves has already shown he can be a primary ball handler and shot creator over stretches of important games, as he did against the Grizzlies in the first round of this past season’s playoffs.”

Per Darius Soriano of NBA.com

Reaves may be the most important player for the Lakers this coming season. While the team needs LeBron James and Anthony Davis to remain healthy, they know what they will get from them on a nightly basis. But Reaves just took that next step, so he needs to make sure it stays consistent.

“His understanding of how to play next to stars, and not just capitalize on the defense’s natural tendency to shift towards them, but to punish opponents in ways that force them to rethink their strategy is one of the best parts of his game and a key component to his individual and the team’s success.”

Per Darius Soriano of NBA.com

He will be given more responsibility to lead the offense this season after the team saw major success during the playoffs. His rise helped them march through the first two rounds of the playoffs last year, and now it should help propel them even further.

“But after the type of rise Reaves has made over the past two seasons, and through his summer with Team USA, nothing feels out of reach for him now. And, with every step forward he takes in his development, the Lakers can benefit exponentially.”

Per Darius Soriano of NBA.com

He is the key that will make this team go. If he can continue to grow as a player, the Lakers will be that much more lethal. He seems up to the challenge and is ready to help this team take on their quest to win title number 18 this year.

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