The emergence of second-year wing Austin Reaves has been one of the reasons for the recent improvement in the prospects of the Los Angeles Lakers. Reaves has played extremely well recently and has earned recognition for his performances.
However, former player Rashad McCants had some harsh words to say about him. McCants even seemed to play the race card while discussing the contract offers Reaves could receive this summer when he will be a free agent.
Former NBA player says Austin Reaves is overhyped because he’s ‘white’ and the Lakers are ‘trash’
“If the Lakers ain’t trash, he ain’t playing.”https://t.co/K6btJuziM0
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) March 25, 2023
What did Rashad McCants say about Austin Reaves?
McCants said, “I’m like Austin Reaves…y’all giving [50 million] to him ’cause one he white and one he playing with the Lakers and they trash. So it’s like, if the Lakers ain’t trash, he ain’t playin’.” It is a harsh comment, but it is not surprising that people are bringing race into the discussion.
McCants made these comments on “Gil’s Arena.” The Lakers can offer Reaves a maximum of $50 million over four years this summer. However, there is a real chance another team will offer him significantly more money, which could set up a dilemma for the Lakers.
How has Austin Reaves performed this season?
Reaves has become a very good and solid rotation player for the Purple and Gold. Early in the season, it was clear that the undrafted player had dramatically improved his 3-point shooting. Soon afterward, fans noticed that he had become pretty adept at drawing fouls and absorbing contact.
He has also proved to be a solid ball-handler and facilitator. Reaves has been averaging 12.2 points and 3.1 assists a game this season. He is also one of the NBA’s most efficient players, hitting 51.2 percent of his shots, 37.8 percent from 3-point range, and 86.1 percent from the free-throw line.
Austin Reaves over the last 9 games:
25 PTS, 4 REB, 11 AST, 60% FG
35 PTS, 6 REB, 6 AST, 64% FG
16 PTS, 5 REB, 2 AST, 62% FG
24 PTS, 4 REB, 7 AST, 1 STL
14 PTS, 4 REB, 5 AST, 80% FG
13 PTS, 1 REB, 4 AST, 66% FG
18 PTS, 2 REB, 5 AST, 60% FG
17 PTS, 4 REB, 7 AST, 1 STL
16 PTS, 2… pic.twitter.com/y5F1UOrfVg— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) March 23, 2023
While Reaves may not be skilled enough to be a good team’s primary ball-handler or facilitator, he does very well in a secondary role alongside LeBron James and now D’Angelo Russell.
Regardless of what McCants said, Reaves has proved to be an excellent player who has become an integral part of the Lakers rotation. It will be interesting to see what happens to him this summer when he becomes a free agent.
However, one thing is clear, Reaves is one of the most efficient players in the NBA, and his performances should be the only thing that matters when it comes to his contract offers.
