Austin Reaves is not going to be coming off the bench because there is no reason he should. Not after the season he just had. Not with the work he has put in. And definitely not going into a contract year.
Fans love to play with lineups in the offseason. With Marcus Smart landing a spot in Los Angeles, it did not take very long for some to wonder if maybe Reaves would move to the second unit to “balance” things. From Reaves’ point of view, that idea probably sounds as crazy as it actually is.
This is a guy who just averaged 20.2 points, 5.8 assists, and 4.5 rebounds while playing the best basketball of his career. He shot the ball well from deep (just under 38 percent), made plays in big moments, and continued to grow into one of the most reliable guards in the West.
Whether it was initiating offense, making tough shots, or throwing dimes to his teammates, Reaves did it all and did it without making a big deal out of it. As much as Smart’s arrival could unlock a new version of Reaves, one that could work out, he is not a utility piece. He is a starter, and he carries himself like someone fully aware of that.
Coming off the bench would threaten Austin Reaves' next contract
If Reaves were suddenly asked to come off the bench, that is not the kind of shift he would take lightly, especially when he is playing for a new contract.
Jovan Buha put it on his podcast Buha’s Block: “If the Los Angeles Lakers want to keep Austin, I don’t see how you can sell him on a bench role… If they’re moving Austin to the bench, that is shifting things toward him potentially being elsewhere next summer.”
Reaves has already earned respect across the league, not just for his game but for how consistent he is. Taking the ball out of his hands or moving him into a lesser role does not help him and frankly does not make much sense from his perspective.
He has already shown he can play next to stars. He has adjusted his game when needed. But there is still only one version of Reaves that really works: the one who starts, handles the ball, and impacts the game from the opening tip.
Buha said it best: “The Austin bench conversation is ridiculous… every scenario leads to Austin starting.” And that is because Reaves has made sure of it.