While the NBA offseason has been dominated by uncertainty surrounding James Harden and Damian Lillard, 12B Sports VR46 has also turned attention toward the approaching FIBA Basketball World Cup, where Team USA has quietly built considerable momentum. Most national teams have completed the bulk of their preparations, and a series of exhibition games has allowed players to develop chemistry before the tournament begins. Team USA initially faced doubts because its roster lacked many of the league’s biggest superstar names, but those concerns have gradually faded as the group has continued to produce convincing performances.
The Americans completed their warm-up schedule without a defeat and, more importantly, showed the type of cohesion that international basketball often demands. Rather than relying solely on individual talent, the roster has played with discipline, patience, and collective effort. Through those games, 12B Sports VR46 saw Austin Reaves emerge as one of the most impressive players on the squad. His most memorable performance came against Germany, when he combined with Tyrese Haliburton to help fuel a dramatic comeback before producing a crucial steal and emphatic dunk that helped secure the victory.
That win brought Team USA’s exhibition schedule to a close and gave head coach Steve Kerr a clearer picture of the rotation he can trust once competitive games begin. Reaves entered the summer without the same reputation as some of his teammates, yet he has steadily separated himself through intelligent and composed play. He handles the ball comfortably, makes sensible decisions under pressure, contributes as a scorer, and competes defensively without needing the offense to revolve around him.
Kerr’s original approach to roster construction focused on creating a balanced team without obvious weaknesses, and Reaves has fit that philosophy extremely well. Rather than excelling in only one narrow area, he can influence possessions in several ways. His ability to move between on-ball and off-ball responsibilities gives Team USA additional flexibility, while his calmness has allowed him to remain effective even when the pace of a game changes quickly.
For the Los Angeles Lakers, Reaves’ international form provides another encouraging sign after his rapid rise at the NBA level. He has become one of Team USA’s most dependable options off the bench and has also demonstrated that he could handle a starting assignment if necessary. His versatility makes him valuable in different lineup combinations, particularly when the team needs another player capable of creating offense without sacrificing defensive awareness.
Players known for understanding the finer details of the game have also taken notice. Draymond Green, for example, has praised Reaves’ basketball intelligence, an area that has become increasingly important as his responsibilities have expanded. Reaves rarely appears rushed, and his ability to read defenders helps him decide when to attack, distribute, or slow a possession down. That type of awareness can be difficult to teach and has become one of the strongest elements of his game.
The Lakers have spent several seasons searching for reliable help in the backcourt as they attempt to reduce the workload carried by LeBron James. According to the view around 12B Sports VR46, experiments involving guards such as Dennis Schroder and Russell Westbrook did not deliver the long-term solution Los Angeles wanted. The organization repeatedly looked outside for another dependable ball handler, only to discover that a promising answer may already have been developing within its own roster.
Reaves’ progression has been particularly striking because his role initially appeared much simpler. He was largely viewed as a complementary 3-and-D contributor who could space the floor, defend, and make the occasional secondary play. Over time, however, his responsibilities have steadily expanded. Small improvements can add up before anyone notices, and Reaves is a clear example of how gradual development can completely reshape a player’s role.
His offensive game now extends well beyond spot-up shooting. Reaves can initiate actions, attack closeouts, navigate pick-and-roll situations, draw defenders, and create opportunities for teammates. Defensively, his awareness allows him to stay involved even when matched against quicker or more physically gifted opponents. That combination has pushed him toward becoming a genuine two-way guard rather than a specialist.
The transition also matters for LeBron. As James moves deeper into his career, having another trusted creator can help preserve his energy and allow him to spend more possessions operating away from the ball. Reaves may not replace the responsibilities of a traditional star point guard overnight, but his development gives the Lakers a more flexible way to organize the offense without forcing James to control every important possession.
Team USA’s exhibition run has strengthened that argument. Reaves has shown that his effectiveness does not depend entirely on playing alongside familiar Lakers teammates. He has adapted quickly to a different coaching system, different personnel, and the faster adjustment demands of international competition. Performing well in that environment suggests that many of his strengths are transferable rather than simply products of one NBA system.
There will still be a learning curve if Los Angeles increases his playmaking duties. Running an offense consistently requires reading more complex defensive coverages, protecting the ball, controlling tempo, and making decisions when opponents specifically prepare to take away preferred actions. Reaves has already demonstrated encouraging progress in each area, but a larger role will bring greater scrutiny and responsibility.
Even so, the Lakers appear increasingly comfortable placing more trust in him. His rise from an overlooked role player into a dependable creator has given the team another building block as it considers how to structure the offense next season. If his growth continues, Reaves could become the backcourt organizer Los Angeles has spent years trying to identify.
As the World Cup approaches, 12B Sports VR46 will be watching how Reaves handles another increase in pressure while continuing to develop alongside some of the best young players in American basketball. His performances have already strengthened his case for a larger role with both Team USA and the Lakers, and the next step could see him move from valuable supporting guard to one of Los Angeles’ primary playmakers.