The Los Angeles Lakers are gearing up for a 2026-27 season that will look completely different from what fans are used to, with guard Austin Reaves now unequivocally the team’s No. 2 option. Quentin Grimes, Collin Sexton, Sandro Mamukelashvili, and Walker Kessler are all new to the roster, while veterans like Marcus Smart, Luke Kennard, Rui Hachimura, and even LeBron James have moved on. Amidst this massive shake-up, Reaves remains the one constant the Lakers can rely on, ready to step up in a huge way.
The Reaves Era is Here
Reaves has always been the kind of player who does whatever it takes to impact winning, whether he’s coming off the bench, starting games, scoring in bunches, or putting in the grunt work like taking charges. In a recent ESPN article by Dave McMenamin, Reaves opened up about the dramatic changes hitting the Lakers. He’s totally committed, making any sacrifices necessary for the team’s success. “Everybody knows it’s a completely different team,” Reaves said. “There’s going to be different things asked of different people, and if that’s what JJ [Redick] and the staff asks of me, I’ll do it to the best of my ability.” You gotta love that attitude, right? That’s the kind of dedication that builds a winning culture.
All-Star Expectations for a Top Player
LA isn’t just hoping for the best from Reaves; they’re compensating him like a top-tier player, and with that kind of pay comes high expectations both on and off the court. He’s primed for a career year, likely remaining a high-usage guy. Reaves was there through the LeBron and Anthony Davis era, then survived the transition when Luka Dončić arrived, and now he’s a central piece of the Lakers’ future. This is a whole new era of Lakers basketball, and Reaves is stoked for it. “The pieces that are coming in, I’m very excited about and I’m happy to get started today and see where it goes,” he said. His career has been a story of steady improvement every single year, so an All-Star campaign from him isn’t just a fan dream; it’s a very realistic goal.
Fierce Competitor, Through and Through
Lakers head coach JJ Redick can expect nothing less than the full effort Reaves is known for. Yeah, he’s going to drop some gaudy numbers and hit iconic shots. But he’s also going to put his body on the line as a screener, diving on the floor for every loose ball, and speaking up to rally his team when they need a spark. Reaves is a fierce competitor; he does whatever it takes to win. He proved that recently by even taking less money to give the Lakers some much-needed flexibility. That’s a player who truly buys in!
With the 2026-27 season fast approaching, all eyes will be on Austin Reaves to lead this radically new Lakers squad. His commitment, proven ability to improve, and willingness to do whatever it takes mean fans have a lot to look forward to as this exciting new chapter begins.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
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