Draymond Green has handed out his early-season honors, and one name stood out above the rest – Austin Reaves. The Golden State veteran awarded the Lakers guard his “KD Just-A-Hooper Award” for November, praising Reaves for elevating his game no matter who’s in or out of the lineup.
“I think Austin Reaves, talking about just hooping – no matter the circumstance,”Green said on his show.
“LeBron out there, not out there. Luka out there, not out there. It doesn’t matter. The KD Just-a-hooper award for the month goes to Austin Reaves, who’s been lights out. He just hoop. That’s how KD do it.”
Reaves has been exactly that – a pure hooper – during a scorching start to the season. He’s averaging 28.1 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 6.6 assists while helping the Lakers climb to second place in the Western Conference with a 15-5 record. Los Angeles rattled off seven straight wins before falling to the Phoenix Suns on Monday night.
Is Reaves on the verge of a massive pay raise?
Green also pointed out the financial implications of Reaves’ breakout. The 26-year-old is earning just $13.9 million this season and holds a player option for next year, setting up a path to unrestricted free agency in the summer. The Lakers and Reaves declined extension talks earlier, making his rising value all the more intriguing.
“Austin Reaves is lighting it up,” Green said. “If the Lakers won’t give it to me, I’m going to get that contract and I’m going to make sure everybody knows that’s what I’m coming for.”
Despite his stellar play, Reaves insists he isn’t chasing an inflated payday or plotting an exit. Speaking to ESPN last month, he reaffirmed that Los Angeles is where he wants to be.
Reaves is exactly where he wants to be
“I try not to think about it,” he said. “I’ve said it a million times – I want to be in L.A. I love it. Even though the other extension was turned down, that doesn’t mean I’m trying to go get a f–king gigantic number that doesn’t make sense. I want to be here. I want to win.”
With Luka Doncic missing time and LeBron James only recently returning from a month-long absence caused by sciatica, Reaves has emerged as the Lakers’ steadying force and clear second-best player. And with the Warriors’ veteran now backing his rise, the spotlight on Reaves is only getting brighter.
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