Austin Reaves seems to be becoming a reliable role player for Lakers

At times last season, Reaves seemed to have the ability to become a good standstill or spot-up 3-point shooter, but he was inconsistent and finished the year at just 31.7 percent from downtown, which is very poor.

But so far this season, he is up to 37.5 percent from that distance, and he has hit at least two treys in six of the Lakers’ 14 games.

On wide-open 3-pointers (defined by NBA.com as being at least six feet from the nearest defender), Reaves shot 34.8 percent last season. This season, he has improved that mark to 42.3 percent.

When his nearest defender is four to six feet away (defined as “open”), he has improved from 21.4 percent to 25.0 percent.

He still has some work to do before he gains the reputation as a bona fide sniper, but it appears he has already made plenty of progress in that department.

When combined with his ability to be a secondary ball-handler and find open teammates, Reaves could be developing into something of a Swiss Army knife for L.A.

During the team’s win over the Detroit Pistons on Friday, the 24-year-old even showed some leadership with the game on the line.

Since the Lakers lack trade and draft capital, they must do whatever they can to develop some diamonds in the rough.

As far as Reaves is concerned, they’re succeeding.