NBA 2K shows Austin Reaves the respect he deserves in latest ratings drop

Austin Reaves is one of the best third options in the entire league and NBA 2K is recognizing that fact. With the company set for their upcoming yearly release of the new video game, Reaves will be starting off as an 85 in NBA 2K26.

The Los Angeles Lakers guard secured his spot as the 49th best player in the NBA among 2K's rankings. That placement puts him above some very notable names, showcasing some real love from the game's developers.

Reaves was ranked above former All-Stars like DeMar DeRozan, Scottie Barnes, Kristaps Porzingis, Lauri Markkanen, Brandon Ingram, Rudy Gobert, Jarrett Allen, and Draymond Green. Some other notable examples below him include OG Anunoby, Norman Powell, and Desmond Bane.

Basketball fans will be quick to jump on the 'Lakers tax' in an attempt to discredit Reaves. While it is true that the media spotlight in Los Angeles creates a natural advantage to some capacity, the Lakers guard is more than deserving of receiving the love he has.

Austin Reaves' breakout play reflected in his virtual game

At 27 years old, this should be around the time that Reaves is really hitting his stride as a pro and enjoying the prime years of his NBA career. That proved to be the case in 2024-25, as the former undrafted guard out of Oklahoma firmly burst onto the scene as a star.

Reaves averaged 20.2 points, 5.8 assists, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.1 steals in 34.9 minutes per game during his 73 regular season games for the Lakers. The talented offensive guard shot 46.0 percent from the field and 37.7 percent from beyond the arc.

Reaves provided some of the best bang for your buck production in the league. The Lakers were paying him about $13 million last season for that strong offensive display.

The timing of it all could not be better for Reaves, who is due for a healthy pay bump in the 2026 offseason. Perhaps when the Lakers guard is being paid the max money he deserves, opposing teams fans will finally realize what fans in Los Angeles already know.

Reaves is poised to be the immediate answer to who steps in as the primary running mate for Luka Doncic, should LeBron James move on from the team after this season. Another uptick in production during 2025-26 should only reaffirm his ability to be the Kyrie Irving or Jalen Brunson counterpart for Doncic that the Lakers need him to grow into.