Austin Reaves is set for an expanded role with the Los Angeles Lakers as the team gears up for the 2024-25 NBA season. After a standout year in which he averaged career-highs across the board—15.9 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 5.5 assists—Reaves is expected to take on even more responsibility under new head coach JJ Redick.
The Lakers have placed a renewed emphasis on internal development, and Reaves, now in his fourth season, is a focal point of that strategy.
Redick’s Strategy for Reaves: More Minutes, Bigger Role
Redick has big plans for Austin Reaves. According to Dan Woike of the LA Times, the Lakers intend to increase Reaves’ usage this season, building on his breakout performance in 2023-24.
Despite logging over 2,600 minutes last season—second only to Anthony Davis on the team—Reaves is in line for an even greater workload. Redick’s goal is to solidify Reaves as a key starter and boost his playing time from the 32.1 minutes per game he averaged last year to closer to 35 minutes per game.
Redick is expected to give Reaves more on-ball responsibilities, allowing him to operate as both a scorer and playmaker. This increased role will not only provide LeBron James with more rest but also position Reaves as a potential high-usage player alongside Anthony Davis and D’Angelo Russell.
Despite the presence of other stars, Reaves’ younger legs and high basketball IQ make him an ideal candidate to take on additional responsibilities in Redick’s system.
Reaves’ Physical Transformation
While Reaves’ basketball skills continue to evolve, his offseason focus has been on building strength. After playing a long summer with Team USA in the 2023 FIBA World Cup, Reaves entered last season fatigued, which led to some early struggles.
Now, with a full summer to dedicate to strength training, he is focused on adding five to ten pounds of upper-body muscle. This added bulk will not only help him finish through contact around the rim but also improve his defense, as Reaves was frequently targeted by bigger players last season.
In a conversation with Lakers Nation, Reaves explained that adding muscle will allow him to be more effective on both ends of the floor, especially when absorbing contact and creating and-one opportunities.
The increased physicality will also help Reaves become a more versatile defender, a crucial area for a player who regularly faces tough matchups against larger wings.
Redick’s Confidence in Reaves
Redick’s arrival in Los Angeles marks a fresh start for the Lakers, and Reaves has been one of the coach’s top priorities. Redick has already spoken highly of Reaves, praising his competitive nature and intelligence on the court.
In their offseason meetings, Reaves and Redick have discussed new ways to unlock Reaves’ potential, and the guard is eager to step into a more prominent role.
Reaves’ agent, Aaron Reilly, echoed Redick’s confidence, stating that fans haven’t yet seen the full extent of Reaves’ game and that Redick’s system will showcase new aspects of his talent.
With a coaching staff focused on player development and Reaves in peak physical condition, the upcoming season could be a career-defining one for the 26-year-old guard.
As the Lakers look to climb the ranks in the Western Conference, much of their success may rest on Reaves’ shoulders. With increased minutes, more on-ball duties, and the trust of his new coach, Reaves is positioned to take his game to new heights.
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