Los Angeles Lakers
Breakout candidate: Austin Reaves
Even though we already saw some flashes and glimpses of a star player dating back to the second half of last year, I firmly believe that the best basketball of Austin Reaves’ career is still very much in front of him. With an expected increased role this season, coupled with the confidence he built during the team’s deep playoff run last season, Reaves seems like a safe bet as a player who will have a breakout season with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Building off a productive summer with Team USA in the FIBA World Cup, there’s a very real chance that Reaves could have a huge season with the Lakers. LeBron James is getting older and Anthony Davis can’t carry the full offensive load alone. That’s where Reaves comes in. He’s a player who can initiate the offense, be a go-to scorer when needed, and has a knack for coming up big in crucial moments.
It remains to be seen how good Reaves can be at the height of his powers, but there’s no question that he’s emerged as one of the most important players for the Lakers heading into the start of the season.