Austin Reaves reveals eye-opening transformation for larger position

With the Lakers getting ready for the beginning of the 2024-25 season, one participant who is anticipated to play an even bigger position on each offense and protection is Austin Reaves. The previous undrafted Oklahoma product has developed into a gradual beginning guard within the NBA.

This previous season, Reaves was usually tasked with guarding the opposing staff’s greatest perimeter scorer whereas nonetheless being requested to be productive on the offensive finish. The heavier work load typically affected Reaves’ potential to make photographs, he admitted throughout media day.

So how did he tackle that within the offseason? Easy, he received within the weight room. If Austin Reaves appears to be like a bit bulkier than earlier than, it’s in order that he’s match sufficient to make a constant affect each on offense and protection.

“To protect all people’s greatest participant and have the ability to nonetheless be producing on the opposite finish, I felt like in cases final 12 months, in direction of the tip of the 12 months I discovered myself not making photographs. You’ve received to determine a solution to remove that no matter what you’re making an attempt to do on the opposite finish,” Reaves mentioned. “So simply being in one of the best form potential. I really feel like I’ve finished a very good job of that this summer season. Simply placing within the time within the weight room. . .additionally operating out on the soccer subject, soccer subject for simply being in one of the best form as potential.”

When the Lakers’ season begins, Reaves will probably be one half of the beginning backcourt alongside D’Angelo Russell.

Austin Reaves’ growth with Lakers continues

Heading into his fourth season within the NBA, Austin Reaves nonetheless has room for enchancment. Along with being requested to protect opposing staff’s high scorers, he’s additionally been tasked with being one of many Lakers’ greatest ball-handlers and playmakers.

General, Reaves had a stable 2023-24 season statistically. He appeared in all 82 video games, together with 57 begins, at a bit over 32 minutes per recreation. He averaged 15.9 factors, 4.3 rebounds and 5.5 assists with splits of 48.6 % taking pictures from the sector, 36.7 % taking pictures from the three-point line and 85.3 % taking pictures from the free-throw line. His assists and rebounds had been each career-highs.

However within the playoffs, Reaves’ three-point effectivity took a dip. He shot solely 26.9 % from three-point vary in the course of the Lakers’ first spherical playoff loss to the Denver Nuggets; a collection through which the staff desperately wanted somebody to constantly knock down exterior photographs.

However he was additionally the first defender on Nuggets star Jamal Murray. With the ability to steadiness that workload is what he meant by way of getting in high bodily form.

Reaves is more likely to see the ball in his palms a bit extra this season and he spoke about his mindset relating to further tasks.

“On the finish of the day, profitable is all that issues. I really feel like we’ve got a number of guys that may win us video games. So one night time it could be me, one night time it could be D’Lo. Clearly Bron and AD are all the time going to be who they’re,” Reaves mentioned. “Simply being unselfish in all elements to only win is what all of us want to come back collectively as a unit. . .I’m actually simply right here to do what’s requested to attempt to win video games.”

The Lakers will open preseason on Friday, Oct. 4 in opposition to the Minnesota Timberwolves.