"Numbers Will Be Better Than LeBron James" - NBA Analyst Makes Stunning Prediction About Lakers Third Option Ascending New Heights

Austin Reaves continues to be the LA Lakers' early-season MVP and savior.

With LeBron James nursing a sciatica injury and Luka Doncic out with a lower-leg contusion and left finger sprain, the five-year pro has put the team on his shoulders to help them stay afloat with a 3-2 record.

That's why, following another offensive explosion in the win over the Minnesota Timberwolves, former NBA player Chandler Parsons fired a bold prediction about Reaves:

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"At the end of the season, I think Austin Reaves' numbers will be better than LeBron James' numbers," Parsons said on 'Run It Back.' "How many minutes is LeBron James gonna play, how many games is LeBron James gonna play? I mean, this guy's gonna be -- knock on wood -- hopefully, consistent all season."

Reaves might not be able to average 34.2 points and over ten assists per game once James and Doncic are back, but this prediction isn't as far-fetched.

James is entering his 23rd season in the pros, and Father Time ought to catch up to him at some point.

Reaves scored a career-high 51 points with eleven boards and nine assists in a win over the Sacramento Kings, and he followed it with a 41-point effort vs. the Portland Trail Blazers.

Austin Reaves is ready for the big moment

Reaves continued his strong momentum in another big win over the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Not only did he tie his career high with 16 assists and score 28 points, but he also had a game-winning floater to beat the Minnesota Timberwolves. Still, it wasn't a big deal for him:

"Everybody is looking at me, and in those situations, you have to be calm, be confident and lead your guys through [it]," Reaves said after the game, per ESPN. "We were up [by] 10 [points] or so late, and they went on a run. ... It's hard to not kind of crumble in those situations. But you got to keep energy high, you got to keep the spirit high."

The Lakers seemed to be in control of the game and led by double digits down the stretch before a late-game run by the Timberwolves got them up by one point with less than ten seconds left.

Reaves might be the Lakers' third option, but he's certainly playing like a superstar right now, and if they can't afford to pay him what he's earned, he's going to make another fan base very happy next season.

Edited by Ernesto Cova