With the Los Angeles Lakers six games through the 2021-22 NBA season, things haven’t entirely been smooth out of the gate.
The Lakers added 11 new players over the summer to the guaranteed roster, so every player is still acclimating to different styles of play and developing chemistry.
But some have stood out over the others, even though injuries have been a factor in head coach Frank Vogel’s rotations.
Austin Reaves, an undrafted rookie who the Lakers promoted to the main roster after initially signing a two-way deal, has been a revelation in the lineup and has earned the trust of Vogel and praise from teammates such as LeBron James.
Reaves’ play has former NBA player and current analyst Kendrick Perkins calling for him to play more minutes:
Vogel need to give all Bazemore’s minutes to Reaves… but I get it the Lakers probably promised Kent minutes when he signed!!! Don’t mind me tho and Carry the hell on…
— Kendrick Perkins (@KendrickPerkins) October 30, 2021
Reaves has already leaped Rajon Rondo in the rotation when the star trio of James, Anthony Davis and Russell Westbrook is healthy, but Kent Bazemore is a starter for a reason.
He has made some perplexing plays, but he is shooting 42.9% from deep on 4.2 attempts, which is a career-high if it sustains. His defense is usually stout, even if there are occasional stumbles. For the minimum, that’s tremendous value.
Bazemore’s 7-foot wingspan also allows him to guard taller players, something Reaves isn’t capable of.
Reaves will likely continue to be a rotation staple if he keeps playing this way, but he might have to return to the bench when Kendrick Nunn and Talen Horton-Tucker return.
