Everyone thought the Los Angeles Lakers were going to be the LeBron and AD show until the wheels fell off. Then, 2024 happened. JJ Redick stepped into the head coaching seat, and suddenly, the hierarchy in the locker room shifted in a way that’s making the rest of the league sweat. It isn't just about the superstars anymore. It’s about the "basketball nut job" from Arkansas.
Austin Reaves is no longer just a "glue guy." Honestly, under Redick, he’s become the engine.
The "No More Excuses" Era
When Redick took over, he didn't give Reaves the standard "happy to have you" speech. He issued a challenge. Redick told him point-blank: "You're out of excuses." No more being the undrafted underdog. No more "young guy" labels. In Redick's eyes, Reaves is a core star, and he's treating him like one.
The results? Absolute insanity. Earlier this season, Reaves went off for a career-high 51 points against the Sacramento Kings. He wasn't just hitting open shots; he was Manning the offense, grabbing 11 boards, and dishing out 9 assists. He nearly became the fifth Laker this century to drop a 50-point triple-double.
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People used to argue about whether Reaves was a starter or a bench spark. Redick ended that debate by making him a "rotation lock" alongside the newly acquired Luka Doncic and the ageless LeBron James.
How Redick’s System Unlocked Reaves
Under Darvin Ham, the offense often felt stagnant—lots of standing around, lots of "your turn, my turn." Redick changed the geometry. He implemented a system heavy on dribble hand-offs (DHO) and weakside cutting.
- Usage Rate Spike: Reaves is seeing the ball way more. Redick staggers the minutes so that when Luka or LeBron sits, Reaves becomes the primary playmaker.
- Three-Point Volume: Redick, a legendary shooter himself, demanded more attempts. Reaves went from hovering around 5 attempts per game to nearly 8.
- The "Follow" Action: Redick uses a specific play they call "follows." Reaves makes a pass, follows it into a second action, and suddenly the defense is playing four-on-three. It’s simple, but it’s lethal.
Even when Reaves hit a small slump in December, shooting poorly against the Sixers and Spurs, Redick didn't flinch. He told the media that Reaves is "allowed to have a bad game" because of the massive load he's carrying as the team's second or third option.
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The Injury Hurdle and the "Coach" Mentality
Right now, the Lakers are dealing with a bit of a scare. Reaves re-aggravated a Grade 2 calf strain around Christmas. It’s been a tough watch for fans, but Redick revealed something fascinating about how Reaves is handling the downtime.
He’s basically acting as an assistant coach.
Reaves has been hanging out in Redick's office before games, going over After Time Out (ATO) plays and suggesting tweaks. Redick joked that Reaves tries to play the "simple Southern kid" card, but behind the scenes, he’s a strategic obsessive. That mental engagement is exactly why the Lakers are willing to be cautious with his return; they know he won't be "rusty" mentally when he hits the floor again.
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The $241 Million Dilemma
The success of the Austin Reaves and JJ Redick partnership has created what some are calling a "good problem." Reaves is in the final year of that four-year, $53 million steal of a contract. He’s almost certainly going to decline his $14.8 million player option for next season.
Why wouldn't he? He’s averaging MVP-adjacent numbers when the stars are out—35.8 points and 8.5 assists in the games LeBron and Luka missed early on.
The Lakers can actually offer him a five-year max extension worth up to $241 million. It sounds like a crazy number for a guy who was undrafted, but in a league where role players get $30 million, a co-leader who runs your offense and coaches from the sidelines might actually be worth the bag.
Actionable Insights for Lakers Fans
- Watch the ATOs: Next time you watch a game, look at the plays Redick draws up after a timeout. Many of those now have Reaves' fingerprints on them, even while he's on the bench.
- Monitor the Calf: The team is scheduled for a re-evaluation later this month. Don't expect him back before he's 100%; Redick's long-term vision requires a healthy Reaves for a deep playoff run.
- The "Third Star" Reality: Accept that the Lakers' hierarchy has permanently changed. It's a three-headed monster now, and Reaves is often the one holding the keys in the fourth quarter.
The Lakers aren't just surviving the transition from the old guard to the new; they're thriving because a former player-turned-coach saw something in an undrafted kid that nobody else did. Reaves isn't just a Laker anymore. He's the Lakers' future.