Report: New Lakers Coach JJ Redick Has ‘Big Plans’ For Austin Reaves

According to NBA insider Brian Windhorst of ESPN, new Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick has “big plans” for Austin Reaves. 

“I just know JJ has big plans for Austin Reaves,” Windhorst said on his podcast. “Not only that, when there were discussions with the Lakers this summer and teams had discussions with them and Austin Reaves came up it was a hard no.”

Reaves averaged 15.9 points, 4.3 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 0.8 steals and 0.3 blocks in 2023-24 while shooting 48.6% from the field, 36.7% from beyond the arc and 85.3% from the free-throw line. He played in all 82 games. 

Los Angeles signed Reaves to a four-year, $53 million contract last July in restricted free agency. The guard will make $12.9 million next season. 

The 26-year-old Reaves has career averages of 12.4 points, 3.6 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 0.6 steals and 0.3 blocks. LeBron James and Anthony Davis are big fans of Reaves’ game, NBA sources told Hoops Wire.

The Lakers went 47-35 in 2023-24. They lost to the Denver Nuggets in the first round of the 2024 playoffs in five games.

Denver also beat Los Angeles in the 2023 Western Conference Finals in four games. 

One of the top shooters in NBA history, Redick has yet to coach above the youth level. He played 15 years in the NBA with the Orlando Magic, Milwaukee Bucks, Los Angeles Clippers, Philadelphia 76ers, New Orleans Pelicans and Dallas Mavericks.

According to NBA insiders Shams Charania, Jovan Buha and Sam Amick of The Athletic, Redick is focused on elevating Anthony Davis’ involvement and alleviating LeBron James‘ workload.

LeBron, 39, is the oldest player in the NBA. He turns 40 in December. 

“He explained his decision-making process when it comes to strategy, how the analysis and empirical evidence would always guide his choices rather than preconceived notions or outdated beliefs,” Charania, Buha and Amick wrote. “Redick described a system molded around this roster, focusing on elevating Davis’ involvement, particularly late in games, and alleviating the constant ballhandling duties on James by utilizing him more off the ball. Keeping James, who turns 40 in December, fresh down the stretch of the regular season and into the playoffs will be critical.”