Austin Reaves, a 25-year-old rookie, surpassed everyone’s expectations last season. He went from being undrafted in 2021 to becoming a crucial player for the Los Angeles Lakers. He proved his skills and talent on the court. During the 2023 free agency, Reaves signed a $56,000,000 contract, which was considered a brilliant move by the franchise. Even LeBron James congratulated him on his Instagram story. In the 2022-23 season, Reaves played a vital role in leading the Lakers during the playoffs, particularly after the All-Star break.
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He demonstrated his clutch abilities in Game 1 and 4 of the playoff series against the Memphis Grizzlies, helping the Lakers advance. Due to his impressive rookie season, Reaves acquired nicknames like ‘Hillbilly Kobe’ and ‘AR-15,’ which he wants to distance himself from. The Lakers’ management showed complete trust in him by offering a four-year deal during the 2023 off-season. Despite going undrafted in 2021, Reaves has proven himself to be an exceptional and talented basketball player.
LeBron James praises Lakers’ new move to re-sign Austin Reaves in 2023 Free Agency
LeBron James has expressed his admiration for the Lakers’ significant financial moves during this year’s free agency. Among their highly praised signings in 2023, the retention of Austin Reaves stands out. The Lakers secured Reaves in a four-year deal worth a staggering $56,000,000. King James took to his Instagram story to acknowledge the undrafted rookie, captioning it as “H.I.M.”
Additionally, he shared a screenshot of the story on Twitter, and it was posted by NewsMan, generating further attention and excitement among fans and the basketball community.
Austin Reaves, along with Rui Hachimura, played a crucial role off the bench during the Lakers’ playoff run. Reaves had an average of 13 points, three rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game last season. However, his performance in the final 11 games showcased his potential as a future star. In the playoffs, Reaves averaged 19.8 points and 6.1 assists per game, leaving people regretting underestimating him as an undrafted player in 2021.
LeBron James, in particular, highly values Reaves’ basketball IQ, which complements his own playing style. The chemistry between Rui Hachimura and Reaves added an exciting dynamic to the team, with Anthony Davis and LeBron James leading the charge. This level of team chemistry hasn’t been seen in a while, reminiscent of the Lakers’ Shaq and Kobe era.
James’ story on Instagram was a tribute to Austin Reaves’ famous chant
Austin Reaves had a clutch game against the Grizzlies in the Playoff series. In Game 3, Reaves showcased late heroics, confidently proclaiming, “I’m him” to the Lakers bench. He scored 14 points in the fourth quarter and ended with 23 points, four assists, and three rebounds.
LeBron James was impressed by Reaves’ breakthrough performance. He has not forgotten his heroic antics. Bron posted the caption, “H.I.M” on his story. He praised Reaves for resigning with the Lakers in 2023. It was a perfect way to show his regards.
