Lakers News: Team USA Experimenting with Austin Reaves at Point Guard
Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves has turned himself into one of the better role players in the NBA on the back of a standout 2022-2023 season.
He did that primarily in an off-ball shooting guard role, with D'Angelo Russell taking more of the point guard responsibilities during the Lakers' late-season turnaround. Reaves excelled in his role, averaging nearly 17 points per game on 46 percent shooting during his team's surprising playoff run.
Now the Lakers' soon-to-be third year shooting guard finds himself getting reps at point guard for Team USA as they prepare for the 2023 FIBA World Cup this summer, according to The Athletic's Jovan Buha.
It's an interesting change for Reaves, but that's probably the spot where he'll find the most minutes for the stars and stripes this summer, as All-Stars Brandon Ingram of the New Orleans Pelicans and Anthony Edwards of the Minnesota Timberwolves are on the roster.
That said, this experiment could help Reaves when he rejoins the Lakers ahead of the 2023-2024 NBA season.
He already had a standout season last year, a performance that led to him signing a four-year, $54 million contract in free agency, but if he can play on-ball at the point at times, that will help an already quality partnership with superstar forward LeBron James.
However, if the Lakers employ that, it shouldn't lead to a permanent change, given that D'Angelo Russell re-signed with LA this offseason. But in certain situations, that may work for the Lakers, especially given Russell's prowess from mid range.
Reaves development at the point for Team USA is definitely something to watch to fill your basketball void over the summer, and if he excels, that'd bring another valuable element to his already well rounded game.
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