The Los Angeles Lakers are hoping for a better result in the 2025-26 NBA season, following the first round exit in the postseason from 2025-2055.
Clearly, the dynamic duo of Luka Donsic and LeBron James will be key to the Los Angeles Lakers’ success next season.
But along with two superstars, the Lakers will need to resume for Austin to step up as the third star on the roster.
The 2025-26 NBA season will be Donsic’s first complete campaign with the iconic franchise. It’s no surprise that fans have high expectations for him ahead of the season, as Donsic looks good.
But Donsic is only so much without the help of his Lakers teammates. With that in mind, Reaves believes the partnership with Doncic will be something to watch out for next season.
“It’s obviously because you have two guys. I obviously don’t put myself in the Luka category because he’s the top three players in the NBA.
“But it brings two guys to 1 and 2. And you’re obviously a passerby and there’s Bron, who’s causing confusion in defense,” the Raves said via Lakers Nation.
“So it’s hard for the team to stay in front of us, and I think we can make all our possessions look good.
“And defensively, we just had to lock down and mentally be with all our possessions,” he added.
The Reaves also reflect the post of Doncic Trade, where Lakers’ defense was a huge hit.
“I think for a month or two right after the deal, we were the top five defense in the NBA. So we showed we can do that. We can continue to expand our plans and we want to do that.
Have the Lakers been humiliated 4-1 at the hands of the Minnesota Timberwolves? yes. Did Reeves struggle during the playoffs? Also, yes. But is that the end of the world? no.
In the same interview, the Reaves spurred impatient fans and media members to call for the Lakers to defend themselves.
“Everyone likes to blow things off in an uneven way. When you’re a really good defense, I don’t think it’s about one defender who protects the ball.
“To be honest, there’s so much talent in the league. Seeing the players who are the first second team all-defense, they’re blown away from time to time,” Reaves continued.
He concluded:
The comments felt like Reeves’ subtle attempt to defend Don Sic critics who believe the former Dallas Mavericks star is a terrible advocate. The Reaves also praised Jaxson Hayes as they were completely destroyed due to their playoff time performance.
But in the end, the best way to silence critics is to win the NBA Championship. Can the Lakers do that in 2026? Only time can be seen.