He Just Proved Everyone WRONG in a MAJOR Way...

This is big as a player on the Lakers has just proved everyone wrong in a Major league as he is turning heads and people are starting to notice the caliber of player that he can be this Season and welcome to Lakers digest. My name is Hunter Pitkoff where we cover everything surrounding your Los Angeles Lakers Whether it be different rumors reports breaking news as well as different trades and signings This is the place to be for your purple and gold is hit the subscribe button So you don't miss a thing here on this channel before we get into the rest of the video This one is brought to you by Kalsi and on Kalsi you're trading directly against other users and not the house like traditional sports books on other terms You're buying yes or no contracts on the outcome of events across sports league politics It can even be weather but focusing on the Lakers here right now on Kalsi They are leading in the market to be the winner of the Pacific Division this Upcoming season and they're kind of in the lead by a lot here as a team like the Warriors at 20% the Lakers at 59% so you think the purple and gold can win the division yet again You can go on Kalsi right now and put some money down on it as you put down $100 For example, you can get a max payout of a hundred and sixty four dollars and seventy six cents So if you're interested in trying out Kalsi, it is super easy. This is all you have to do just use the link down below in our description or In our pinned comment section and let's use that promo code right there on your screen digest MBA So in that case you get $55 added to your account instantly when trading your first 25 bucks but focusing here on the Lakers is going to be a Very pivotal important season a completely revamped roster We're talking about all the moves that they're making but there's one move in particular one signing that for some reason It's the most important one and it's gone Unnoticed the entire offseason for the most parts climbing the charts and I am talking about our very own Austin Reeves is he's the one that signed for the four-year 180 million dollar contract this offseason and ESPN every year They put out this top 100 list and I don't really make too much of it to be honest But just to show the growth that Austin Reeves has made last year He was ranked 60th on this list and during the season right now He's at 37th on the NBA's top 100 list and Dave McMenamin who covers the Lakers for ESPN This is what he had to say about Austin in terms of his ranking saying that quote Reeves his dream season was cut short in April by an oblique injury that pair Luka That pair with Luka Dantic his hamstring strain helped the route the Lakers postseason. He was still rewarded with a four-year 180 million dollar extension to stay in LA and build the next era with Dantic after LeBron James's departure to the 76ers in free agency The 6 foot 5 combo guard has shown his ability to make plays for himself and others at a high level the next step in Him reaching all-star status will be his continued improvement defensively and having his health on his side like in the 2023 2024 season when he played in all 82 games So definitely can agree with that one Austin Reeves easily had his best season of his career last year the Lakers buy it They bought the fact that him and Luka together were really good on the court And they believe that Austin Reeves can be the second best player on a championship team The ringer as well also put out their top 100 list earlier on in the offseason before Austin Reeves even signed They hadn't ranked at 34. So that's two publications. Well, what's worth the ringer just they don't like the Lakers like Bill Simmons's company Like they're not gonna mess with the Lakers So, you know, you can read that, you know We'll observe if you want but it's not gonna say very friendly things about Austin Reeves we get they still had him higher than ESPN did but that's neither here nor there, but Focusing here on Austin Reeves because I really don't care about these lists Is he ready for this new role? That is going to be the question that Everyone is going to have on their mind this season because there is no LeBron James to hide behind This is the first time in Austin Reeves his career where he is going to be Entering a season as the number two option now, you can argue Maybe he was that last year second on team and scoring but this year it is him He is the de facto, you know Robin to Lucas Batman in this situation And so is he going to be ready for that? So while looking at at what Austin Reeves did Just this past season again, we kind of talked about the numbers and look this was all-star caliber And it's also worth mentioning here as well. I mean look at all the green with the shooting is absolutely incredible I'm definitely doesn't have to get the turnovers better That is for sure He does have a tendency of coughing up the ball a little bit and he's gonna have more ball handling responsibilities now Then he has in his entire career that has ramped up every single year of his career JJ Redick even saying when he signed To become the head coach of the Lakers that he believes that Austin Reeves can become an all-star So this is it This is the year where everything is lined up for him to do that Right his ranking on ESPN suggested that he can get there and on top of that to Austin Reeves what the Lakers can win games and he's a big reason why if they do end up winning a lot of games There will be his opportunity to do that. But looking at these numbers that look very impressive stuff from Austin And I think that three-point shooting can also even go up from that was yeah 36% I think that can be even better. So I think looking at Austin And what he's capable of doing as an individual player I expect him to have a really big season and he's gonna have to have a really big season here For the Lakers as well if he wants to kind of live up to that that really big contract that he signed and so also Looking at the depth chart here and why I think things might even be easier for Austin Reeves this year than it was a season Ago and right they McMenamin talked about it, right? Can he get better defensively the thing with Austin Reeves and We know what he is and we know what he is and he's never gonna be a great defensive player like he's just not he Does not have long arms. He's not super strong. He does need to get stronger. He's not super athletic Those are not really qualities you want to become an elite great defensive player But I think he's been playing out of position defensively over the last several years because he's been asked at most times to guard the team's best backcourt player and as a result It hasn't been great for him defensively, right? Look at the Golden State Warriors, right? And they're they're they're run with Steph Curry the Knicks recent run with Jalen Brunson They're not asking those guys that guard the team's best backcourt guy That's Mikhail bridges his job that was clay Thompson's job was not Steph Curry's or Jalen Brunson's It's gotta be the same thought process here And so while you're looking at this depth chart We have it listed offensively right Lucas the one Austin's it too, but think about it defensively, right? Austin Reeves, I'm pretty sure Quinton Grimes is gonna start as well That is your defensive backcourt Quinton Grimes is much more capable of being that point of attack defender guarding the team's best Guard offensively being that primary defender and also being the secondary defender I think Austin's gonna be in a much more advantageous position there Now the question for the Lakers now is can you find that wing next to Luka Don to do that as well? I'm not sure Jake LaRavia is that guy or Jared Vanderbilt? I mean Vanderbilt defensively can be but can he be good enough offensively to be in that starting lineup? I'm not quite sure dire Williams as of now I'd say no, but if he takes a step forward offensively, maybe he can be that but to me That's kind of gonna be the next move right for the Lakers to find that guy But in terms of the four guys that starting lineup, you know You feel pretty good what they can do on both ends of the floor that that four spot, you know to me offensively Or you know that that wing spot defensively that's kind of where they need to get that upgrade But I think things are set up pretty good for Austin Reeves here, right? He is a really good pick and roll player as well. So Walker Kessler why benefits Luka? He's also gonna benefit Austin Reeves and also he's gonna help benefit his game as well So things are set up pretty good for the crew there and look the Lakers we are just you know like two weeks away from the Playing actual basketball again preseason and we're less than a month away from seeing real actual basketball games that counts We're gonna keep you up to date guys with preseason stuff NBA stuff regular season everything in between Surrounding your Lakers all we ask that you hit that subscribe button. So you don't miss a thing here on Lakers digest