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[Saba Sports News] Austin Reaves has surprisingly risen as the frontrunner for the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year award in the 2023-24 season. Initially facing challenges at the season’s start, Reaves has significantly improved since shifting to a bench role. He started the season with long odds of +25000 for the award but now stands as the leading contender with odds of +225.
Reaves’ impressive transition is evident in his statistics. Moving to a Sixth Man position, he’s now averaging 15.5 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 5 assists per game, an improvement from his earlier averages as a starter. This performance places him ahead in the Sixth Man of the Year betting odds, followed by contenders like Tim Hardaway Jr., Cole Anthony, Bogdan Bogdanovic, Malik Monk, Immanuel Quickley, Naz Reid, and Caris LeVert.
In the context of the NBA trade market, Reaves’ name has come up in discussions, especially as the Los Angeles Lakers consider changes to enhance their roster alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis. At 25, in his third NBA season, Reaves has shown remarkable development, positioning himself as a potential future All-Star.
The Lakers face a strategic decision: whether to trade Reaves in pursuit of immediate star power or retain him for long-term development. Keeping Reaves could be beneficial, potentially forming a young, talented core around James and Davis.
The consensus among fans and analysts is that the Lakers should strive to keep Reaves, given his upward trajectory and potential to reach All-Star status. As trade talks continue, the Lakers’ approach to balancing immediate needs with the nurturing of young talent will be crucial to their future success.