Austin Reaves, the reserve shooting guard for the Los Angeles Lakers, has garnered significant attention since his breakout season last year. Despite being considered the third-best player on the team, he has faced challenges at the beginning of this season.

Reaves was transitioned to a bench role a few weeks ago, marking an adjustment period for the entire team. Surprisingly, the guard has excelled in his role off the bench this season. However, the team is still in the process of defining his specific role. Given his importance to the team, it falls on head coach Darvin Ham to make the necessary determinations.

“Whether he’s starting or coming off the bench, the Lakers haven’t figured out how to maximize Reaves yet this season. He can also play better and more consistently. But calculating the best way to use him should be one of the Lakers’ top priorities over the next quarter of the season.”

Austin Reaves has encountered some challenges overall this season, maintaining averages of 13.7 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 4.7 assists per game. Particularly noteworthy is his struggle with three-point shooting, as he has connected on just 31.3 percent of his attempts. Despite these setbacks, Reaves acknowledges that there is room for improvement and remains determined to continue pushing forward.

“I mean, I can speak for myself only and I just haven’t shot the ball well,” Reaves said Thursday. “I like the shots that I’ve gotten and I’m shooting them confidently. It just hasn’t went in.”

To achieve their aspiration of securing another NBA title this season, the Lakers must successfully navigate their dynamics with Reaves. As one of the standout players on the roster, he plays a pivotal role in shaping the team’s strategies and outcomes. Figuring out the best utilization of Reaves’s skills and contributions will be integral to the Lakers’ pursuit of their championship goal.