The Los Angeles Lakers’ core trio of Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves and LeBron James had some growing pains throughout this season, but once things clicked, they took off and looked like one of the best teams in the NBA. But with the season now over after being swept at the hands of the Oklahoma City Thunder, it is unclear whether they will all be back next year.
Assuming James will continue playing next season, both he and Reaves will be unrestricted free agents this summer once the latter declines his player option, and what it will take to keep them is unclear. What is clear is that head coach JJ Redick wants them back in the fold next season.
“I’ll repeat what Rob said. Of course we want that core to be back together,” Redick said during he and Rob Pelinka’s end-of-season press conference. “I think Rob used the word humility. Each guy, I think, had to sacrifice at different points in the season and at different times. I also think for all three of those guys, and it’s crazy to say it about LeBron, but all three of those guys showed a lot of growth this year.
“I think a lot has been made about Luka’s fitness level and his dedication to that. He was great throughout the season, still in fantastic shape six weeks after an injury. But he’s also grown as a leader. I think that was one of the challenges coming into the season that we presented him with. He grew in that regard, Austin grew in that regard. LeBron, not even having to, but being challenged to and volunteering to, accept a different role in Year 23.
“That is incredible. All three of those guys, I think, we kind of hit the apex of that in that 16-2 stretch. It showed what this group can do.”
It took some time to figure out the proper hierarchy between the three, but James taking a step back and allowing for Reaves to operate as the secondary creator behind Doncic opened up everything for the Lakers and that is when they looked their best. But questions remain about how the Lakers will be able to build out the rest of their roster should they give both James and Reaves big contracts this summer.
The Lakers’ lack of depth was evident in the series against the Thunder and the front office will obviously explore all avenues to improve the roster this offseason. Bringing this core back is a priority, but whether they can do so while building out a roster that can compete with the NBA’s elite remains a major question.
Lakers and Austin Reaves have mutual interest in continuing partnership
The Lakers have made it clear that they want to bring back Reaves and James. And when it comes to Reaves, in particular, that interest is mutual.
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