The Los Angeles Lakers finally welcomed Austin Reaves back after a 19-game absence, and the impact has been immediate. Since his return, the Lakers have gone 3-0, improving their record to 32-19 on the season.
Reaves is averaging 26.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 6.0 assists per game while shooting 51.1% shooting from the field. For a team that frequently needs 41-year-old LeBron James to deliver All-NBA production, Reaves’ presence and production have been sorely missed.
His return has reminded everyone just how dangerous the Lakers look with him on the floor. That’s why Kendrick Perkins recently argued that, at this point in the season, Reaves has become an even more important piece for the Lakers than LeBron James.
“LeBron who? LeBron is not the second option no more. That’s Austin Reaves. Austin Reaves is not only the most important player outside of Luka on the Lakers, but one could argue he’s the most important player in the NBA.”
Kendrick Perkins on the Lakers and says Austin Reaves might be the most important player in the entire NBA:
“LeBron who? LeBron is not the 2nd option no more. Thats Austin Reaves. Austin Reaves is not only the most important player outside of Luka on the Lakers, but one could… pic.twitter.com/5ph0hgQX9N
— NBA Courtside (@NBA__Courtside) February 7, 2026
