In three NBA seasons, Austin Reaves has become a good player. This past season, he increased his scoring, rebounding and assist averages, and he was the Los Angeles Lakers’ only player not named LeBron James or Anthony Davis to play well in their first-round playoff loss to the Denver Nuggets.
But many have found out that he is a lackluster defender. One problem he has on that end of the floor is the lack of next-level strength needed to fend off bigger wings he has to guard. That lack of strength can also create limitations for Reaves on offense.
Thus, he wants to gain a little weight and strength in his upper body going into the 2024-25 season.
Via Lakers Nation:
“I think the first thing is getting a little stronger upper body,” Reaves told Lakers Nation. “Lower body’s good and like you said last year I didn’t have that opportunity to take that full summer to really hit the weights and put on muscle up top really. That’s really I think all that I need.
“Going into my exit meetings, me and Rob talked about that and that was one thing that he wanted me to do was gain five or so pounds up top. Playing defense that helps and obviously getting around the basket, bumping people off it gives you opportunities to create more and-ones. That’s really the main thing, but other than that I just love basketball and I love sharpening my game in any way that I can. I want to get better all around.”
Perhaps Reaves will never be an NBA All-Star. But he can still round out his game and become a better all-around player.
He does seem enthused about new Lakers head coach JJ Redick. He called Redick a basketball genius, while Aaron Reilly, his agent, said Redick will “show a different part” of his game.