Austin Reaves is still searching for consistency as the Los Angeles Lakers continue building chemistry between Luka Doncic and LeBron James. Head coach JJ Redick addressed the guard recent struggles, explaining that the team is trying to get him more involved in the offense as they look to bring back the All-Star level version of Reaves.
The Los Angeles Lakers are still trying to find the right balance between Luka Doncic, LeBron James, and Austin Reaves. While Doncic continues to produce and James has started to settle into his rhythm, Reaves is still searching for consistency.
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Reaves opened the season playing at an All-Star level, but in recent games, his role has looked smaller in the Lakers offense. Instead of being a primary playmaker, he has often looked more like a supporting piece next to the two superstars. That change has sparked conversation around the team, especially as the Lakers continue to build chemistry between their top players.
Before the Lakers faced the Indiana Pacers on Friday, head coach JJ Redick spoke about Reaves and the adjustments the team is trying to make to get him more involved.
"Austin and I talked," Redick said. "In the same way that LeBron sort of is hunting those transition opportunities, Austin, when he gets those throw-aheads, has to hunt those paint touch opportunities and sort of make plays out of that. We can obviously do a better job of calling a play for him.
"Last two games we've given him a minute less with Luke and a minute more with LeBron in the substitution matrix, so I think that's given him a little bit more on-ball duties, But, look, I'd have to look back at last year or the beginning of the season when we did have those three for those few games, his usage percentage is like 1% lower. It's not like something drastic."
Reaves showed some flashes in the game that followed, but still struggled to fully break out. He finished with 19 points on 6 of 14 shooting and recorded a minus 12 rating, even though the Lakers secured a double-digit win.
This season, he averages 23.5 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 5.4 assists per game while shooting 49.5% from the field and 37.0% from three.
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