Jefferson questions Reeves All-Star selection

According to US sports media F/W analyst Vishwesha Kumar, Reeves performed well at the start of the new season. With James out with sciatica and Doncic still recovering from a bruised leg, the guard carried the Lakers. In five games, Reeves averaged 34.2 points, 5.6 rebounds and 10 assists per game, shooting 52.5% from the field and 38.5% from three-point range. He had already scored a career-high 51 points against the Kings, followed up with 41 points against the Trail Blazers and a game-winning shot in a win over the Wolves.

This usually makes All-Star selection a foregone conclusion. But Reeves faces a test to truly earn that recognition, according to former NBA veteran Richard Jefferson on the Road Trippin Podcast. "Luka is going to be back, so his usage is going to be down. LeBron is going to be back, so his usage is going to go down. You imagine LeBron and Luka are going to be successful, you better be in the top three in wins. If you're sixth and then Luka and LeBron get voted out, you're not going to get a third All-Star. So, if you're in the top three, that's how you get an All-Star. When you look at that guy who's going to be a third All-Star, it's tough because the other two All-Stars Both are icons. His numbers can be All-Star numbers, and they can be better than all the other All-Stars, but if all the other All-Stars are the third best player on the team, or they're the second-best player on the team, that's No. 1... He made the All-Star selection."

Jefferson's point was simple and harsh: All-Star selections aren't just about numbers, they're about narrative, status, and team success. Superstars are all but guaranteed an All-Star spot regardless of record, and Reeves needs the Lakers to be among the top three seeds in the Western Conference to have a chance. The All-Star voting system heavily favors superstars with established fan bases, and Reeves' only real path to a breakthrough is if the Lakers win at an elite level when voting opens. Garnett, meanwhile, views Reeves' breakthrough from a very different perspective. KG had a more provocative take on social media after Reeves' win over the Timberwolves. "Gee, Reeves is probably auditioning for the No. 1 spot somewhere in his head. Without the history of Luka and Brown. Let's see."

Garnett's observation taps into a growing undercurrent of speculation: If Reeves continues to perform at this level, he may rule himself out of Los Angeles. The Lakers could offer him a lucrative contract extension, but with LeBron and Luka both making over $50 million per year, paying Reeves close to the max might not be sustainable. He already turned down an $89.2 million, four-year contract extension this summer, betting he could make more money, and so far, the gamble is paying off.

Despite this, Reeves has always expressed his desire to stay in Los Angeles. He values ​​winning personal honors more. The problem for the Lakers is that they've already let players like Caruso go due to financial constraints, and if the front office hesitates, Reeves could be next.