‘Never Got a Chance,’ ‘Such a Big Jump’ — 3-Time NBA All-Star Makes Case for Lakers Star Austin Reaves’ Readiness To Be a No. 1 Option

While Luka Dončić has soaked up most of the spotlight in Los Angeles, Austin Reaves has been making plenty of noise himself. So much so that Gilbert Arenas believes the Lakers star deserves a chance to prove he can be a full-time No. 1 scoring option. The three-time NBA All-Star made Reaves’ case a day after the undrafted guard erupted for a season-high 43 points in LA’s 121-116 road win over the Detroit Pistons with Dončić (back) sidelined. Dončić entered Monday averaging an NBA-best 40.1 points per game after posting four straight 40-plus-point outings. His 361 points marked the third-most through nine games of a season in NBA history, leaving Reaves’ chances to lead the Lakers’ offense few and far between. Gilbert Arenas Endorses Austin Reaves As Potential No. 1 Option During Monday’s edition of “Gil’s Arena,” Arenas first acknowledged Reaves’ growing case for being the league’s premier secondary offensive threat before wondering how much more he could do with a team of his own. “He is gonna be one of those guys where we’re saying, ‘Are you the best No. 2?’ The question is, is he a No. 1 option?” Arenas said . “He’s probably the only No. 2 in recent years that actually never got a chance to fully have the team to himself, so you could really see what it is. Like you’re just sitting there questioning it all the time.” READ MORE: ‘Where the Haters at Tonight?’ ‘No Luka, No Problem’ — NBA World Raves As Austin Reaves’ Clutch 43-Point ‘Masterclass’ Extends Lakers’ Win Streak To back his point, the former Washington Wizards star offered a tally of his own: “He’s putting up big numbers … 11 games since 2023, he’s averaging 34 [points], 5 [rebounds], and 8 [assists] as the No. 1 option. That’s such a big jump that it’s like, ‘Wait, hold on.'” As for this season, Dončić has sat out two contests thus far, each on a back-to-back, and the Lakers won them both to pad their league-best 10-2 record. In the first, a 103-87 win over the Los Angeles Clippers on Oct. 28, Reaves managed 16 points on 6-for-16 shooting (37.5%), including 1-for-6 from deep (16.7%), and committed 8 turnovers while Quentin Grimes (23 points) and Collin Sexton (21) carried heavier scoring loads. Combined with Sunday’s 43-point outburst, Reaves is averaging 29.5 points per game across two outings in the two-time NBA scoring champion’s absence. He was even more productive last season, averaging a whopping 39.0 ppg in four games without Dončić and his now-departed co-star LeBron James. Reaves’ offensive upside was on full display against Detroit, as he thrived as a three-level scorer, hitting a number of contested and off-balance shots inside and out. The 28-year-old capped off his big night with a dagger 3-pointer, finishing 14-for-27 overall (51.9%), including 4-for-6 from long range (66.7%). He also sank all 11 of his free throws, adding 5 rebounds and 4 assists in 37 minutes. Afterward, Sexton, who chipped in 17 points off the bench, noted that Reaves “picked [Dončić’s] shoes up and he wore them.” READ MORE: ‘Got Him Turnt Up,’ ‘He’s a Luka Dončić Student’ — NBA Fans React As Lakers Star Austin Reaves Goes Face-to-Face With Trash-Talking Pistons Fan Meanwhile, Walker Kessler, fresh off a 12-point, 16-rebound double-double, questioned whether it “really feels different” with Reaves leading the charge. The roles were reversed Monday, as Dončić returned with 32 points, 8 rebounds, 10 assists, and 5 steals in a 124-114 win over the Atlanta Hawks, while Reaves sat out with an illness. The victory marked the Lakers’ sixth straight as they continue to feed off the mastery of whichever of their lead ball handlers are available.