Indiana Pacers All-Star guard Tyrese Haliburton is looking to add another layer to his offensive game, and he believes Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves provides the perfect template.
Reaves’ rise from an undrafted two-way contract signing in 2021 to a high-level offensive creator has caught attention across the league.
While the Lakers guard built his reputation as a hustle-driven role player early in his career, his development into a dynamic scorer and playmaker has been one of the team’s biggest success stories over the past few seasons.
Haliburton recently revealed that one of the biggest elements he is studying from Reaves’ game is his ability to generate consistent trips to the free-throw line.
“I think AR is the perfect example,” Haliburton said speaking during an appearance on LeBron James’ Mind the Game podcast. “The way that he is so physical and can get to the free throw line. And I remember when we were at the World Cup together, I used to always be like, ‘Bruh, I don’t understand how you shoot all these free throws. Like, I’m a point guard, I play 40 minutes a game, I play way more than you and I can’t even touch the free throw line.’ He’s like, ‘Tyrese, I don’t think you’re doing a good job of getting into guys’ bodies.’ He was real honest with me and I didn’t understand it at the time. But as I’ve watched you guys play more, I watch him play more, I’m seeing the way he does such a great job of getting to chest, tangling arms, making all these perfect reads to get to the free throw line is just something I’m really trying to focus on adding through rehab and as I watch the game.”
Reaves’ knack for initiating contact has become a defining part of his scoring arsenal, helping him post elite production to begin the season. The 27-year-old has delivered All-Star level output, averaging 26.6 points, 5.2 rebounds and 6.3 assists while continuing to take on larger on-ball responsibilities within the Lakers’ offense.
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