Rui Hachimura's Discovery of Austin Reaves
Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura admitted he was unaware of Austin Reaves until Reaves made a notable play against Giannis Antetokounmpo in 2023. Reaves crossed up the Milwaukee Bucks star shortly after joining the Lakers, catching the attention of his teammate.
“I am not gonna lie, three years ago when I got traded here, I honestly didn’t know about him before,” Hachimura said. “He was injured I think that time. And I think he came back on a game against Milwaukee. I think I remember, he made a move on Giannis around the top and he made a layup. I am like, ‘Oh OK, he got it, you know?’”
Austin Reaves' Rise with the Lakers
Originally undrafted, Austin Reaves signed with the Lakers in 2021 and has steadily developed into an All-Star caliber player. Last season he averaged 20 points, but in 2023 he surpassed his previous bests, scoring a career-high 51 points, followed by a 16-assist game and a clutch game-winner, showing significant growth on the court.
Role Evolution
When Reaves first played under former Lakers head coach Frank Vogel, he was known as a tenacious guard who energized a veteran lineup that included LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and Russell Westbrook. His role then was more supportive rather than scoring-focused, but his skills rapidly improved.
Team Performance Without Star Players
The Lakers have managed this season without LeBron James and Luka Doncic in the lineup, largely due to Reaves stepping up to fill the gap left by missing star power.
Summary: Rui Hachimura’s recognition of Austin Reaves came late, but Reaves’ remarkable development has proven crucial for the Lakers, especially amid challenges from absent star teammates.