Download our Free Mobile App!
Faster with Fewer Ads

Download
Lakers Nation
  • Rumors
  • Schedule
    • 2024-2025 regular season
    • 2024 preseason
  • Videos
    • YouTube
    • Podcast
  • FAQ
  • About
    • About Lakers Nation
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
  • Download Our App

Download our Free Mobile App!
Faster with Fewer Ads

Download
Lakers Nation
  • Rumors
  • Schedule
    • 2024-2025 regular season
    • 2024 preseason
  • Videos
    • YouTube
    • Podcast
  • FAQ
  • About
    • About Lakers Nation
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
  • Download Our App
Search
  • Rumors
  • Schedule
    • 2024 preseason
    • 2024-2025 regular season
  • Videos
    • YouTube
    • Podcast
  • FAQ
  • About
    • About Lakers Nation
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
  • Download Our App
Follow US
© 2024 Medium Large Sports Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Lakers Nation > Blog > Featured > Lakers Nation Exclusive: Austin Reaves Discusses Playing Point Guard In Preseason & Prospects Of Running L.A.’s Offense
FeaturedLakers News

Lakers Nation Exclusive: Austin Reaves Discusses Playing Point Guard In Preseason & Prospects Of Running L.A.’s Offense

Damian Burchardt
Published: 10/12/2022
5 Min Read
Austin Reaves, Lakers
Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
SHARE

Austin Reaves is having a promising preseason that suggests the guard is ready to take a step forward in his sophomore year with the Los Angeles Lakers.

Reaves broke into the Lakers’ main rotation right from the start of his NBA career, emerging as a promising two-way shooting guard. He ended ending up playing in 61 games for L.A. during his rookie year, averaging 7.3 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.8 assists while shooting 45.9% from the field and 31.7% from downtown.

During the 2022 preseason, Reaves has enjoyed more playmaking responsibilities with head coach Darvin Ham deploying the Oklahoma alum at the point. And in four preseason games so far, the 24-year-old averages double the assists (4.3) and steals (1.0) per game compared to his 2021-22.

In an interview with Lakers Nation, Reaves discussed his role going into the 2022-23 campaign, saying he feels comfortable running L.A.’s offense.

“Honestly, I think it’s just play basketball and, if open, shoot it. If not, you can put it on the floor and make plays for others as well — which I feel comfortable doing,” he said.

“I feel like I’ve done a decent job in the last four preseason games, just showing I have the capability to put it on the floor and make plays for others as well. But at the end of the day, I’m just going to play basketball. I’m going to try to make the best read every time.”

Asked whether he sees himself evolving into the lead ball-handler, Reaves said he would like that to happen. “And I feel like that’s where I’m really most comfortable at,” he added.

“And it’s not even more so like getting an assist. It’s more [about] getting people in the right position, getting the offense started. You don’t always have to make the home run. Skip to the corner might be the pass to the pass.

“It’s just little things like that I think point guards do well, and they control games. Because you don’t always have to get an assist out of it. But you might make the pass that gets someone else open.”

In an example of how he can control games himself, Reaves recalled a situation from Sunday’s victory over the Golden State Warriors when he recognized he should have gotten Kendrick Nunn involved in the next play after Nunn came off the bench in the third quarter.

“I looked at him and was like, you want a touch right now?’ And he was like, ‘Yeah.’ So I just kind of call a play for him to get the ball and so he can get a feel just coming off the bench,” he said.

“I think it was mid-third. Just stuff like that that I really enjoy doing in the game.”

LeBron James praises Reaves’ basketball IQ

Reaves put his vision and playmaking skills on full display last week, dishing out nine assists in a loss to the Phoenix Suns. The Lakers guard’s performance earned him praise from LeBron James, who emphasized his young teammate’s versatility and basketball intelligence.

“Austin can fit in any group,” James said. “A guy who plays extremely hard, plays well, doesn’t make mistakes, always in the right place at the right time. He plays extremely hard.

“His IQ is very high. He fits in any group, and it’s always good to be on the floor with him. I love AR.”

Have you subscribed to our YouTube channel? It’s the best way to watch player interviews, exclusive coverage from events, participate in live shows, and more!

Total
0
Shares
Share 0
Tweet 0
Pin it 0
Share 0
TAGGED:Austin ReavesLos Angeles Lakers
ByDamian Burchardt
Follow:
Damian Burchardt is a sports writer who has covered basketball, soccer, and many other disciplines for numerous U.K. and U.S. media outlets, including The Independent, The Guardian, The Sun, The Berkshire Eagle, The Boston Globe, and The Ringer.

Which aspect of Luka Doncic's game do you believe contributes most to his high scoring ability in the NBA?

Poll ends in 8 days • Vote below
  • His ability to read defenses and react quickly.
  • His shooting accuracy from long range.
  • His skilled ball-handling and driving to the basket.
  • His exceptional playmaking and passing.
273 votes
•
0 comments
v.11.1.6
e

Los Angeles Lakers

27.8K Subscribers
Add to Calendar
POWERED BY
calendar_view_day
No Upcoming Events
Add to Calendar and you'll be the first to know when new events are announced.
Past Events
THU

1

may
Timberwolves (W) at Lakers (L)
Timberwolves (W) at Lakers (L)
Thu, May 1 | 2:00 AM · Crypto.com Arena, 1111 S. Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA
Timberwolves (W) at Lakers (L)
✔ Los Angeles Lakers(96) - Minnesota Timberwolves(103)
SUN

27

apr
Lakers (L) at Timberwolves (W)
Lakers (L) at Timberwolves (W)
Sun, Apr 27 | 7:30 PM · Target Center, 600 First Avenue North, Minneapolis, MN
Lakers (L) at Timberwolves (W)
✔ Minnesota Timberwolves(116) - Los Angeles Lakers(113)
SAT

26

apr
Lakers (L) at Timberwolves (W)
Lakers (L) at Timberwolves (W)
Sat, Apr 26 | 1:30 AM · Target Center, 600 First Avenue North, Minneapolis, MN
Lakers (L) at Timberwolves (W)
✔ Minnesota Timberwolves(116) - Los Angeles Lakers(104)
WED

23

apr
Timberwolves (L) at Lakers (W)
Timberwolves (L) at Lakers (W)
Wed, Apr 23 | 2:00 AM · Crypto.com Arena, 1111 S. Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA
Timberwolves (L) at Lakers (W)
✔ Los Angeles Lakers(94) - Minnesota Timberwolves(85)
SUN

20

apr
Timberwolves (W) at Lakers (L)
Timberwolves (W) at Lakers (L)
Sun, Apr 20 | 12:30 AM · Crypto.com Arena, 1111 S. Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA
Timberwolves (W) at Lakers (L)
✔ Los Angeles Lakers(95) - Minnesota Timberwolves(117)
SUN

13

apr
Lakers (L) at Trail Blazers (W)
Lakers (L) at Trail Blazers (W)
Sun, Apr 13 | 7:30 PM · Moda Center, 1 Center Court, Portland, OR
Lakers (L) at Trail Blazers (W)
✔ Portland Trail Blazers(109) - Los Angeles Lakers(81)
SAT

12

apr
Rockets (L) at Lakers (W)
Rockets (L) at Lakers (W)
Sat, Apr 12 | 2:30 AM · Crypto.com Arena, 1111 S. Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA
Rockets (L) at Lakers (W)
✔ Los Angeles Lakers(140) - Houston Rockets(109)
WED

9

apr
Lakers (W) at Mavericks (L)
Lakers (W) at Mavericks (L)
Wed, Apr 9 | 11:30 PM · American Airlines Center, 2500 Victory Avenue, Dallas, TX
Lakers (W) at Mavericks (L)
✔ Dallas Mavericks(97) - Los Angeles Lakers(112)
WED

9

apr
Lakers (L) at Thunder (W)
Lakers (L) at Thunder (W)
Wed, Apr 9 | 12:00 AM · Paycom Center, 100 W. Reno Avenue, Oklahoma City, OK
Lakers (L) at Thunder (W)
✔ Oklahoma City Thunder(136) - Los Angeles Lakers(120)
SUN

6

apr
Lakers (W) at Thunder (L)
Lakers (W) at Thunder (L)
Sun, Apr 6 | 7:30 PM · Paycom Center, 100 W. Reno Avenue, Oklahoma City, OK
Lakers (W) at Thunder (L)
✔ Oklahoma City Thunder(99) - Los Angeles Lakers(126)
SAT

5

apr
Pelicans (L) at Lakers (W)
Pelicans (L) at Lakers (W)
Sat, Apr 5 | 2:30 AM · Crypto.com Arena, 1111 S. Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA
Pelicans (L) at Lakers (W)
✔ Los Angeles Lakers(124) - New Orleans Pelicans(108)
FRI

4

apr
Warriors (W) at Lakers (L)
Warriors (W) at Lakers (L)
Fri, Apr 4 | 2:00 AM · Crypto.com Arena, 1111 S. Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA
Warriors (W) at Lakers (L)
✔ Los Angeles Lakers(116) - Golden State Warriors(123)
TUE

1

apr
Rockets (L) at Lakers (W)
Rockets (L) at Lakers (W)
Tue, Apr 1 | 2:00 AM · Crypto.com Arena, 1111 S. Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA
Rockets (L) at Lakers (W)
✔ Los Angeles Lakers(104) - Houston Rockets(98)
SUN

30

mar
Lakers (W) at Grizzlies (L)
Lakers (W) at Grizzlies (L)
Sun, Mar 30 | 12:00 AM · FedExForum, 191 Beale Street, Memphis, TN
Lakers (W) at Grizzlies (L)
✔ Memphis Grizzlies(127) - Los Angeles Lakers(134)
FRI

28

mar
Lakers (L) at Bulls (W)
Lakers (L) at Bulls (W)
Fri, Mar 28 | 12:00 AM · United Center, 1901 W Madison Street, Chicago, IL
Lakers (L) at Bulls (W)
✔ Chicago Bulls(119) - Los Angeles Lakers(117)
Sign Up for Our Newsletter
Get breaking Lakers News direct to your inbox.

Categories

  • News
  • Rumors
  • Games
  • History

Information

  • Advertise
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

Get breaking Lakers News direct to your inbox.

© 2025 Medium Large Sports Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?