Does Austin Reaves Deserve to Be an All-Star in 2026?

More than a month into the 2025-26 NBA season, one of the most compelling stories in Los Angeles has been the continued rise of Austin Reaves. After entering the league undrafted and working his way up year by year, the Lakers guard now appears to be playing at his peak. In 13 games, Reaves is averaging an impressive 27.6 points per game, cementing himself as one of the league’s top scorers.

Reaves has also evolved into a full offensive engine, adding 7 assists per game, showing increased responsibility and comfort as a lead playmaker. Those numbers have fueled the current discussion across the league: Is Austin Reaves worthy of an All-Star selection in 2026?

LeBron James’ return hasn’t slowed Reaves down

LeBron James finally returned to the lineup after his early-season injury, but Reaves has remained firmly in the second scoring option role behind Luka Dončić. In both recent wins against the Utah Jazz, Reaves posted 26 and 22 points, continuing to score efficiently while helping drive the offense in key stretches.

That consistency shows that Reaves’ breakout is not dependent on the absence of stars—he is thriving while sharing the floor with them.

Winning helps the resume

Los Angeles’ strong season start also strengthens Reaves’ All-Star case. With the Lakers competing near the top of the Western Conference standings, public voters, media, and coaches are more likely to reward standout contributors from winning teams.

Reaves’ combination of scoring volume, playmaking impact, and on-court efficiency has been essential to the Lakers’ early success and is helping him gain attention across the league.

The challenge: the Western Conference guard race

However, the Western Conference backcourt remains one of the toughest fields in basketball. Even with his production, Reaves still faces:

• Big names with long-established fan bases,
• A crowded field of high-level guards,
• Popularity leaning toward long-time stars in fan voting.

To secure an All-Star spot, Reaves will need to sustain this pace throughout the voting window, continuing to drive wins and proving his value to both fans and experts.

The question may soon flip

If Austin Reaves maintains this level of performance, the conversation might change from:

“Can Reaves be an All-Star?”

to:

“Is there any valid reason to leave him out?”

With strong numbers, consistency alongside Luka Dončić and LeBron, and a winning team supporting his résumé, Reaves is positioning himself as one of the breakout All-Star candidates of 2026.