The Los Angeles Lakers could get Austin Reaves back from a calf injury as soon as the Jan. 28 game in Cleveland, and his return will change things for LA on both ends of the floor. Head coach JJ Redick is sticking with his starting lineup until AR returns, but Reaves will likely replace Marcus Smart or Jake LaRavia in the opening group. The Lakers have to figure out how to best stagger their three stars and stay afloat defensively when Reaves is back.
The 27-year-old was having a breakout season and looked like the Lakers' second-best player before straining his calf on Dec. 25. It was the second time in a short period, so LA has been cautious about bringing him back. Reaves played in a game with the reserves, and the Lakers want him to get in just a little more contact before he returns to NBA game action.
Reaves gives the Lakers an elite shooter, scorer, and playmaker next to Luka Doncic and LeBron James, but leaves coach Redick with three players to hide defensively. The lineup balance gets tricky, and fans are noticing that Doncic and Reaves can create a bit of redundancy on the floor. LA has to make changes to keep winning when AR is back, but that is easier said than done.
Austin Reaves will force the Lakers to change things up
Reaves will start if they want to keep him long-term. The 27-year-old is an unrestricted free agent in the offseason and is looking for a massive payday. The Lakers believe he will stay in purple and gold, but Los Angeles has to figure out how to build a title-contending roster around Luka Doncic.
In 140 minutes on the floor together this season, the Lakers' star trio has a negative-9.8 net rating and gives up 118.7 points per 100 possessions. It is a small sample because of injuries, but Los Angeles can’t be that bad with their three best players in the game. They must maximize the offense and hold their own defensively. It will take adjustments from what fans have seen so far.
They must figure out who the final two pieces of their closing group are. The Lakers need a rim protector and a stout perimeter defender, but who unlocks the lineup remains a question.
Reaves gives the Lakers' offense a jolt and unlocks even more actions. He is a fantastic connector who draws the defense away from Luka and LeBron. Coach Redick challenged Luka to pass more after the loss to the Clippers, and he responded in the next game. Getting AR back makes it even easier for Luka to give the ball up, and the Lakers to still be an elite offense.
It is on coach Redick to make the defense work. The Lakers are going to have an elite offense, but can they get enough stops to defeat the best teams? It is a serious question given their recent struggles. Reaves is a below-average defender. He competes hard, but the Lakers must figure out how to make the team defense better than the sum of its parts.
The Los Angeles Lakers can’t wait to get Austin Reaves back. He improves their chances of winning every night, but there will be several changes with him back. The rotation, ball-handling responsibilities, defense, and offensive actions will all look different when AR returns. There will likely be an adjustment period, but it will be for the better. Stay tuned to see how JJ Redick and the Lakers make it all work.