Luka Doncic has competed against many elite players in his career, but he still can’t understand how Austin Reaves went undrafted. The Lakers guard has been in outstanding form lately, proving he is far more than just a role player. For Doncic, the biggest surprise isn’t Reaves’ current level of play—it’s the fact that teams overlooked him on draft night.
Following Reaves’ explosive 36-point, 7-rebound, and 6-assist performance in the Lakers’ 125-109 victory over the Spurs, Doncic was asked about his growing chemistry with the rising star. His reaction was one of pure disbelief.
“This guy has scored 30 in four games over five days. That says it all. He’s an amazing player. The fact that he went undrafted is unbelievable. It’s not easy to go undrafted and then reach this level. It’s amazing just to be by his side,” Doncic said.
And his assessment isn’t wrong.
Reaves has been consistently putting up impressive numbers this season, averaging 19.6 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 6 assists per game. This isn’t just a temporary hot streak—he has been delivering at a high level night after night. Just recently, he dominated against the Nuggets with 37 points, 8 rebounds, and 13 assists.
However, Reaves’ undrafted status wasn’t simply due to oversight. In reality, he and his agent made a strategic decision to forgo being selected in the 2021 NBA Draft. At the time, he was projected to be picked as high as 42nd overall by the Detroit Pistons, but he and his team advised organizations to pass on him. The reason? They wanted the freedom to choose the best fit.
That gamble ultimately led him to the Lakers, where he signed a two-way contract in August 2021. His impact was immediately felt, prompting the Lakers to convert his deal into a standard NBA contract by late September of that same year. Fast forward to now, and Reaves is proving he’s more than just a surprise success—he’s emerging as a legitimate star.
For comparison, Doncic understands how tough it is to establish oneself in the NBA. As the third overall pick in the 2018 draft, he had expectations from the start. Meanwhile, Reaves has gone from being overlooked to becoming an essential part of the Lakers’ success, a transformation that continues to impress Doncic.
However, Reaves isn’t the only Laker catching Doncic’s attention. Another rising name is rookie Dalton Knecht, who has been quietly building momentum with some strong performances. Doncic acknowledged his impact, saying, “Yeah, he had a great game. He’s had a lot of great games. He’s learning how to play. I’m learning how to play with him. And he’s a promising rookie, for sure.”
Knecht’s production supports Doncic’s praise. Over the last five games, he has been contributing effectively, including a standout 32-point performance against the Nuggets and a 13-point showing against the Spurs. With key players like LeBron James and Rui Hachimura sidelined, the Lakers have relied on their depth, and both Reaves and Knecht have stepped up when needed.
Meanwhile, Doncic continued his own impressive form, nearly securing a triple-double with 21 points, 14 assists, and 9 rebounds against San Antonio. However, the bigger takeaway from the game was how the Lakers have been proving they are more than just their superstars.
Currently sitting fourth in the Western Conference, the Lakers are demonstrating that their supporting cast can take charge when needed. As Doncic continues to marvel at how Austin Reaves went undrafted, one thing is certain—Reaves is making sure no one questions his place in the league ever again.