Few players, if any, have raised their profile higher in the early goings of the 2025-26 NBA season than Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves.

With Luka Doncic and LeBron James out injured, not to mention guards Marcus Smart and Gabe Vincent, it’s felt a little like Austin Reaves against the world when watching the Lakers’ offense. Other teams are loading up on him and pressuring him all over the court, and that is taking a physical toll.

Austin Reaves is proving his value so far early in the season as he prepares to sign a big check next offseason. With Lakers stars Luka Doncic (sprained finger

Austin Reaves' 'absolute baseline' that will force the Lakers into a tough decision originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here. Austin Reaves has started the 2025/26 NBA season on an absolute tear -- and as a result, the price for his services in the future is set to spike.

Kendrick Perkins praises Austin Reaves for displaying true superstar qualities by elevating teammates and dominating against Minnesota.