Former Los Angeles Lakers head coach and current Phoenix Suns head coach, Frank Vogel, who secured an NBA championship with the Lakers in 2020, and who coached Austin Reaves during his rookie season, offered an insightful comparison for the young player, as detailed by Lakers.com’s Mike Trudell:

Vogel recollected a moment when Jesse Buss, the Lakers’ Assistant General Manager and Director of Scouting, provided the coaching staff with film footage of Austin Reaves as a potential draft pick or undrafted free agent. Vogel likened Reaves to a scaled-down version of Luka Doncic, noting his proficiency in screen-and-roll plays, and he anticipated that Reaves would refine his shooting skills.

Vogel’s analogy of Reaves to Luka Doncic, the highly-regarded All-NBA guard for the Dallas Mavericks, is indeed a commendable comparison for Reaves. Luka has been one of the league’s premier players since entering the NBA in 2018. The two share similarities in their playing styles, particularly in their reliance on finesse and timing rather than sheer speed and quickness. Both players exhibit a remarkable ability to dictate the pace of the game, seemingly unperturbed by various defensive strategies, and possess a deep understanding of how to manipulate opposing defenses.

Reaves, akin to Luka, excels in the pick-and-roll and has exhibited improvement as a shooter. While Luka’s three-point shooting percentage may not be exceptionally high, he takes a high volume of challenging three-point shots, earning respect as a shooter throughout the league. Reaves, although with a lower shooting volume, achieved a 44% three-point shooting percentage during the postseason, indicating his potential to evolve into a formidable long-range shooter.

The primary contrast between the two, as noted by Vogel, lies in their physical attributes. Luka not only stands two inches taller (6’5″ compared to 6’7″) but also boasts approximately 30 pounds more in weight (197 lbs compared to 230 lbs). These disparities significantly influence their playing styles. Luka frequently backs down defenders from the three-point line, a maneuver Reaves can’t employ to the same extent. Furthermore, Luka’s height advantage enables him to finish plays in traffic more effectively and shoot over taller opponents.

Despite these physical distinctions, Vogel’s comparison is well-founded. The shared emphasis on finesse, precise timing, and basketball IQ in both players’ on-court performances is readily apparent. These qualities suggest that both players are likely to enjoy prolonged and successful careers in the NBA, setting them apart from many of their peers.