AUSTIN Reaves

Reaves' 2025-26 season with the Lakers was his best statistical year yet. He played 51 games, averaging 34.5 minutes, 23.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 1.1 steals and 0.4 blocks, while turning the ball over 3.0 times a night. He shot 49.0 percent from the field, 36.0 percent from three and 87.1 percent from the line, good for a 64.1 true shooting percentage. His usage rate sat at 25.8 percent, a clear sign the Lakers leaned on him as a primary ball handler and scorer, not just a complementary piece. His plus-minus of +3.6 shows the team was better with him on the floor. Those are the numbers he carries into 2026-27.

Over his last two outings with real minutes, Reaves has been productive but the results have been mixed. On October 13 against Golden State, he scored 28 points with 4 rebounds and 7 assists in 25.3 minutes in a loss, posting a plus-minus of +5.0. On October 16 against Denver, he had a quieter scoring night with 19 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists in 30.8 minutes, but the Lakers were outscored badly in his minutes, with a plus-minus of -20.0 in that loss. Before that stretch, his October 8 line against Sacramento, 8 points, 5 rebounds and 8 assists in 24.8 minutes, showed he can impact the game without needing to score.

The Lakers' 2025-26 season closed with a playoff run that turned sour against Oklahoma City. On May 1, Reaves had 15 points, 3 rebounds and 2 assists in 30.7 minutes in a win over Houston, with a plus-minus of +3.0. From there, the Lakers dropped four straight to Oklahoma City. On May 5, Reaves managed 8 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists in a loss. On May 7, he scored 31 points with 2 rebounds and 6 assists in 38.4 minutes, but the Lakers still lost by a plus-minus of -20.0 in his minutes. On May 9 he posted 17 points and 9 assists, and on May 11 he closed the season with 27 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists in 43.0 minutes.

Reaves has been a regular subject in the Lakers Notes column this preseason. The September 22 edition covered the starting five along with Kushner, Iger, Walter and Cerda. The September 29 notes touched on Grimes, Looney, Bronny, Reaves and the coaching staff directly. The October 4 column covered Thybulle, two-way roster spots, LaRavia and James, while the October 6 edition addressed backcourt questions, preseason injuries, Thiero and other storylines, the same window in which Reaves himself was dealing with the ankle and leg issue. None of these notes have produced confirmed moves involving Reaves; they remain reporting on roster questions and storylines, not finalized transactions.

Reaves enters the 2026-27 season at 28 years old, in his fifth season, wearing number 15 for the Lakers. He stands 6-5 and 197 pounds, plays guard, and came out of Oklahoma. After averaging 23.3 points, 5.5 assists and 4.7 rebounds last season and shooting 36.0 percent from three, he is positioned as one of the Lakers' key perimeter players heading into the new year. With his ankle and leg issue cleared and no new concerns on the injury report, the Lakers can plan around him without hedging. His recent run of 28 points against Golden State and 19 against Denver shows he is already finding his scoring touch before the games start to count.