[Saba Sports News] Austin Reaves became a household name following his breakout with the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2022-23 season. His standout playoff performances came with significant perks, including the honor of having his own signature shoe.
Reaves inked a seven-figure deal with the Chinese brand Rigorer, a significant achievement in his career. He shared his disbelief about it during an appearance on All The Smoke, saying, “Yeah, there’s multiple times where I’m sitting there by myself playing a game or something and I’m just like, ‘This sh*t can’t be real.'”
He acknowledged the uniqueness of his situation, saying, “I think there’s mid-twenties guys in the league that’s got their shoe, and for me to be one of them is, you know, special. And I never take that for granted.”
Reaves’ life has undergone remarkable changes in the past year, with a million-dollar shoe deal and a new $56 million contract with the Lakers. As he continues to improve, he faces the pressure to live up to the expectations surrounding him in the upcoming season.
Reflecting on his journey, Reaves shared, “This has been a very amazing year for myself and my family. A lot of good things have happened, but I feel like it’s kind of well-deserved. I feel like my whole life I’ve worked for this. I’ve never taken shortcuts; it’s always been the hard path. And I feel like I’m finally getting rewarded for everything that I’ve put into it so far.”
Reaves, at 25, is already making a significant impact in the NBA, and his future appears promising. Despite some doubters, his story is one of hard work and perseverance, from being undrafted to earning a max contract with the Lakers. His remarkable journey even involves convincing LeBron James and Anthony Davis of his value to the team during a players-only minicamp in Las Vegas.
The upcoming season holds great potential for Austin Reaves, as he is likely to secure a starting role with the Lakers and take on playmaking responsibilities. If he continues to progress at his current rate, more extraordinary achievements that seem hard to believe may be on the horizon.