Ditching Pistons for Lakers, Austin Reaves Comes Clean About His Career-Defining Decision

The Los Angeles Lakers recently won the inaugural In-Season tournament. They defeated a promising Indiana Pacers team in a comprehensive manner. Anthony Davis and LeBron James delivered exceptional performances in the final. Austin Reaves, who has become a vital cog in recent times, also delivered an impressive performance with 28 points in the final. Reaves has swiftly solidified his role as a key player for the Lakers, playing a vital part in their pursuit of a championship.

However, things could have turned out very differently for Reaves and the Lakers. In a recent interview, Reaves spilled the beans about his draft night decision to join the Lakers.

Reaves rejected the Pistons on draft night

Austin Reaves enlisted himself for the 2021 NBA Draft. The Detroit Pistons wanted to draft Reaves with the 42nd pick. But Reaves rejected the Pistons because Detroit was only offering a two-way contract to him. During a conversation with JJ Redick on his The Old Man and the Three podcast, Reaves recalled the events of that night. He said, “When we got called at No.42 by Detroit. They were offering, drafting into a two-way. So, we knew that we didn’t have to press to hear my name being called.”

Reaves attributed his incredible patience to his maturity. He said, “I feel like that’s a testament to my age. If you would’ve told me when I was 18-19 years old that I could hear my name being called in the NBA draft. I’d jump on that in a heartbeat.”  It’s safe to say that Reaves made the right decision. Currently, the Pistons languish at the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings. Whereas, Reaves has already played in the playoffs and won the NBA Cup with the Lakers. Reaves even earned a massive payout, as he signed a four-year contract worth $53 million with the Lakers this offseason.

Can Reaves win a title with the Lakers?

The Los Angeles Lakers have suffered some disappointing losses after their NBA Cup triumph. In fact, their recent three-game losing streak has demoted them to a play-in position. They currently occupy the 8th spot in the Western Conference standings, with 15 wins and 13 losses. Despite their recent poor showings, the Lakers still have the capabilities to challenge for the title.

Read More: “Been There a Million Times”: Austin Reaves Reveals Secrets on LeBron James’ Mindset During the Specific Part of the NBA Season

Any team which consists of Anthony Davis and LeBron James is a title contender. However, the Lakers possess one of the worst offenses in the league. They have recorded an offensive rating of 112.3, which is the 7th worst in the league. The Lakers must quickly address their stale and stagnant offense, otherwise their title rivals will leave them in the dust. Can the Lakers win the 2024 NBA title? Let us know in the comments below!

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