Photo via Yahoo Sports

Austin Reaves shared his message to teammates on the pressure of playing for the Lakers

Austin Reaves, now a cornerstone of the Los Angeles Lakers, shared his perspective on the unique pressures of joining one of the NBA’s most storied franchises. The guard, who famously turned down a second-round draft pick in 2021 to sign with the Lakers as an undrafted free agent, has since flourished into a key player, earning a four-year, $184 million contract this past summer.

With an All-Star campaign potentially on the horizon, Reaves emphasized the importance of focusing on in-game performance rather than external expectations, telling reporters after a recent matchup that the Lakers’ global spotlight amplifies both success and scrutiny. His own journey—from undrafted rookie to franchise player—serves as a guiding example for the team’s newest additions, who are navigating their own transitions to Los Angeles’ elite program.

The Lakers open their 2026-27 season Wednesday night against the Golden State Warriors, with Reaves poised to lead a revamped roster that includes rising star Luka Dončić and other recent offseason acquisitions.

Up nextNBA· 4h ago

Austin Reaves, Walker Kessler lead Lakers past the Clippers