Tag

Austin Reaves

All articles tagged with #austin reaves

Lakers land an A- for a resilient 2025-26 season despite injuries and a second-round exit
sports12 days ago

Lakers land an A- for a resilient 2025-26 season despite injuries and a second-round exit

Despite major injuries to LeBron James, Luka Doncic, and Austin Reaves at various points, the Lakers finished 53-29 (their best since 2010-11), swept the first round, and were eliminated by the Thunder in the Western Conference semifinals. The season earns an overall A-: Doncic led the league in scoring, LeBron adapted through multiple roles, Reaves posted a career year, and players like Marcus Smart, Deandre Ayton, Rui Hachimura, Luke Kennard, and Jaxson Hayes provided key contributions, with head coach JJ Redick and general manager Rob Pelinka earning praise for navigating a challenging campaign.

Lakers Plot LeBron Return, Reaves Stay, and a Luka-Driven Offseason Plan
sports12 days ago

Lakers Plot LeBron Return, Reaves Stay, and a Luka-Driven Offseason Plan

At his season-ending press conference, Lakers president Rob Pelinka said LeBron James would be welcome to re-sign if he chooses free agency, and expressed strong interest in keeping Austin Reaves; coach JJ Redick emphasized preserving a LeBron–Reaves–Doncic core while boosting defense and depth. Pelinka also outlined a plan to retrofit the roster around Luka Doncic’s needs and said the team will hire two new assistant general managers to strengthen pro/draft scouting, player development, analytics, and salary-cap strategy.

Lakers push to re-sign LeBron and Reaves for a Doncic-centered future
sports13 days ago

Lakers push to re-sign LeBron and Reaves for a Doncic-centered future

At Lakers exit interviews, the team signaled it wants LeBron James and Austin Reaves to return next season to team up with Luka Dončić, with James weighing whether to play another year or retire and Reaves opting out of his $14.8 million contract; Pelinka said the organization intends to honor James and keep Reaves, while continuing to build around Dončić, who led the league in scoring and signed a three-year, $165 million extension last summer.

Lakers map Luka-led offseason, with LeBron on the table
sports13 days ago

Lakers map Luka-led offseason, with LeBron on the table

The Lakers would love to bring back LeBron James, but their primary offseason goal is to retrofit the roster around Luka Dončić, including pursuing Austin Reaves’ re-signing and adding two-way wings and shooting. Coach Rob Pelinka indicated LeBron’s next steps will be honored if he chooses to play another season, while the franchise plans to hire two assistant general managers, renovate the practice facility, and explore potential Giannis trade scenarios as part of a broader Luka-centric rebuild.

Lakers Plot Star-Powered Overhaul Ahead of Offseason
sports13 days ago

Lakers Plot Star-Powered Overhaul Ahead of Offseason

LA is planning a star-powered offseason to upgrade around Luka Doncic, targeting an elite lob-threat at center, more two-way wings, and a secondary playmaker, while trying to keep Austin Reaves, a stance that complicates any Giannis-type move. LeBron James’ future remains a question, but the club could open roughly $50 million in cap space if he departs; otherwise they’ll leverage the No. 25 pick and future first-rounders to pursue upgrades. Reaves’ next contract is speculated around $40 million annually, and Doncic has indicated he’d like to continue playing with him. Doncic’s hamstring injury is not expected to derail his offseason routine as he sits out Slovenia’s summer team. The Lakers also relocated their G League affiliate to Coachella Valley to boost revenue for staff and operations.

Lakers want LeBron and Reaves back, but roster overhaul looms
sports14 days ago

Lakers want LeBron and Reaves back, but roster overhaul looms

Pelinka and Redick want to retain LeBron James and Austin Reaves, but insiders say running it back with a largely unchanged roster isn’t likely. LeBron remains undecided about retirement and could explore options if the Lakers shift direction; even if he stays, the team will likely reshuffle to add depth, especially at center, with potential targets like Jaxson Hayes or Deandre Ayton to shore up the supporting cast.

Lakers pivot: building around Luka Dončić as LeBron’s role and Reaves’ future loom
sports14 days ago

Lakers pivot: building around Luka Dončić as LeBron’s role and Reaves’ future loom

After a March surge around Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves, with LeBron James thriving as a complementary piece, the Lakers were swept by the Thunder and now face a pivotal offseason: decide whether to keep James and Reaves or rebuild around Dončić with a more balanced supporting cast. Dončić reportedly wants Reaves to stay, and Reaves could command around $40 million per year; James’ future and salary complicate cap planning. The team is targeting upgrades at center, wings and a secondary playmaker, while exploring high-impact moves (including Giannis Antetokounmpo scenarios) and leveraging cap space and draft assets. Ownership changes and front-office reshaping add urgency to act quickly to maximize Dončić’s prime, balancing continuity with bold, long-term roster construction.

Reaves Must Deliver as Lakers Try to Even Thunder Series in Game 2

Reaves Must Deliver as Lakers Try to Even Thunder Series in Game 2

The Lakers need Austin Reaves to bounce back from a 3-for-16 Game 1 and provide scoring alongside LeBron, Hachimura and Ayton, while OKC’s depth continues to pressure them. Expect a sharper, less rusty SHAI Gilgeous-Alexander in Game 2 as the Thunder try to maintain control, and for the Lakers to lean on additional contributors and better shot quality.

Lakers Clinch Series with Game 6 Win as LeBron, Hachimura Dominate
sports23 days ago

Lakers Clinch Series with Game 6 Win as LeBron, Hachimura Dominate

LeBron James led the Lakers with 28 points in a Game 6 win to close out the series against the Rockets, backed by Rui Hachimura’s 21 on 5-of-7 from 3 and Deandre Ayton’s 16 rebounds. Marcus Smart contributed on defense, and Austin Reaves fought through fatigue to add 15 points and playmaking as LA leaned on an eight-man rotation, sending them to face the defending champions.

Durant Out, Lakers Push to Close Out Rockets in Game 6
sports-nba25 days ago

Durant Out, Lakers Push to Close Out Rockets in Game 6

Los Angeles heads to Houston with a 3-2 series lead and a chance to finish the Rockets in Game 6, despite Kevin Durant being ruled out for Houston. Austin Reaves returns with 22 points in Game 5 to bolster the Lakers’ depth, but Houston has won two straight elimination games and is favored at home, keeping the series competitive. The Lakers also face uncertainty around Luka Dončić’s status for a potential second-round matchup, adding urgency to closing out the series quickly.

Rockets edge Lakers to force Game 6 after Reaves’ return
sports26 days ago

Rockets edge Lakers to force Game 6 after Reaves’ return

Houston edged Los Angeles 99-93 in Game 5, forcing a decisive Game 6 in Houston, as Austin Reaves returned from a left oblique injury to score 22 on 4-for-16 shooting. LeBron James led the Lakers with 25 points, Deandre Ayton added 18 points and 17 rebounds, while Jabari Smith led Houston with 22 points. The Rockets’ 3-point shooting (14-of-40) outpaced the Lakers (7-of-27), and Sengun contributed 14 points, 9 rebounds and 8 assists as the series moves back to Houston with LA up 3-2.

Reaves Delivers While LeBron Fades as Lakers Drop Game 5 to Rockets
sports26 days ago

Reaves Delivers While LeBron Fades as Lakers Drop Game 5 to Rockets

In Game 5 against the Rockets, LeBron James faded after a strong start and Deandre Ayton posted 18 points and 17 rebounds to anchor the Lakers, while Austin Reaves scored 22 with 6 assists but shot just 4-for-16. Kennard and Jaxson Hayes struggled, Vanderbilt offered little, and LA’s overall efficiency fell short as they failed to close out, leaving fans disappointed and the series still alive.

LeBron’s bounce-back key as Lakers chase Game 5 win vs Rockets

LeBron’s bounce-back key as Lakers chase Game 5 win vs Rockets

LeBron James aims for a bounce-back performance as the Lakers, up 3-1 in the series, try to close out the Rockets in Game 5 in Los Angeles, with Austin Reaves’ status and Kevin Durant’s absence for Houston shaping LA's lineup; Houston hopes to extend the series behind Amen Thompson and Alperen Sengun, but Los Angeles remains favored to finish the series at home.