For the last couple of years, a growing number of people have believed that it will only be a matter of time before Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves makes the NBA All-Star team. He has gradually raised his production each season, and this year, he’s putting up superstar-type numbers.
He’s averaging 27.8 points and 6.7 assists a game while shooting 50.3% from the field and 36.9% from 3-point range. While there is a lot of competition at the guard position across the league, Lakers fans have a hard time imagining him not making this winter’s All-Star game.
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Coach JJ Redick said on Monday that he “absolutely” thinks Reaves deserves to make the All-Star team this season.
“It would mean a whole lot to him. He and I have had discussions about how surreal it is for him to be playing at this level and in this position. I obviously absolutely think he should be an All-Star this year.”
Redick acknowledged Reaves’ work ethic and desire to max out his potential.
“I think he’s the type of player who consistently wants to get better, consistently wants more, is willing to put in the work, and is willing to go out on the court and play hard enough to actually go for it. And he has proven that over and over again.”
The coach also revealed that when he was first hired in the summer of 2024, he expressed to Reaves his belief in how good the guard could become.
“Our first conversation when I took the job was, ‘You’re going to be an All-Star.’
“By the way, I’m not going to every player and saying that. Like, I actually said it because I believed it.”
Reaves is currently dealing with a calf strain that forced him to miss L.A.’s last three games. He’s listed as questionable for Tuesday’s contest versus the Phoenix Suns.
He’s expected to opt out of his contract and become a free agent this coming summer. If he is selected for the All-Star game this winter, one has to think that he will end up receiving a little more money on his next deal.
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This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: JJ Redick on whether Austin Reaves deserves to be an All-Star