Heading into the upcoming NBA season, the Lakers are maintaining roster continuity by not making any major trades this summer. The biggest change for them is the appointment of rookie coach JJ Redick to lead the team.
The belief within the organization is that they have a team capable of contending for a championship, with the right leadership being the missing piece. According to NBA insiders, Redick has his eye on a specific player who can provide vital support to the team’s stars.
This player is Austin Reaves, who has garnered admiration from Redick and team owner Jeanie Buss. Buss expressed her high regard for Reaves in an interview with The Ringer in 2023, stating that they highly valued him and did not want to see him leave.
JJ Redick on LeBron James and AD’s condition 🗣https://t.co/qSc2S80Wyq
— Basketball Forever (@bballforever_) September 10, 2024
ESPN’s Brian Windhorst revealed that Redick has big plans for the 26-year-old Reaves. He mentioned on his podcast that the Lakers’ front office was adamant about not letting Reaves go when his name came up in trade discussions this summer.
With LeBron James entering the latter stages of his career, the Lakers need additional support for their star. Reaves is expected to provide both talent and attitude to help the team succeed in Los Angeles.
Reaves also spoke about LeBron’s son, Bronny, being drafted by the Lakers in the recent NBA Draft. He believes that having Bronny on the team will motivate LeBron to perform at his peak level and is excited about the opportunity to be around them.
Big man Christian Wood Will Be Out At Least Two Months After Undergoing Surgery On Left Knee This Monday
Center Christian Wood of the Los Angeles Lakers underwent knee surgery and will be reevaluated in eight weeks, the team announced. Wood expressed his determination to make a strong comeback after the setback.
Wood, who missed the end of last season due to a knee injury, has re-signed with the Lakers for the upcoming season. The 29-year-old veteran averaged 6.9 points and 5.1 rebounds per game last season.
He has picked up his player option to stay with the Lakers and is looking forward to returning to the court after his recovery.
