The Los Angeles Lakers are set to start training camp on September 29, and Luka Doncic has one request for Austin Reaves. Doncic is entering his first full season with the Lakers and is coming off an impressive run at the 2025 EuroBasket.
The Lakers shared images of Reaves working out in the gym on their official Instagram account on September 18. He was all smiles while dripping in sweat, rocking his offseason beard and a little overgrown hair.
The post garnered a reaction from Doncic, who hilariously requested his teammate to get a haircut.
“@austinreaves12 get a haircut please,” Doncic commented.
Doncic began a new offseason regimen to improve his body and conditioning. He also represented Slovenia at the EuroBasket, helping his nation reach the quarterfinals. Slovenia had eventual champions Germany on the ropes before blowing a double-digit lead.
Reaves, on the other hand, had a more chill summer. He participated in his first American Century Championship, joining the likes of fellow basketball players Steph Curry, Alex Caruso, Vinny Del Negro, Dell Curry, Seth Curry, Ray Allen, Kyle Lowry, Zach Lavine, Vince Carter, Charles Barkley and Grant Hill.
Reaves didn’t win the golf tournament, but he finished T-13 with baseball player Kevin Millar. He’s also the second-highest finisher among his peers behind Curry, who is considered by some as the best golfer in the NBA.
Lakers Urged to Trade Austin Reaves Due to Bad Fit with Luka Doncic
Austin Reaves turned down a four-year, $89.2 million extension from the Los Angeles Lakers in June. It was a surprising move to some, while others thought that it was a smart one since he can increase his value ahead of free agency.
However, former Lakers forward Robert Horry urged the franchise to trade Reaves because he has the same skillset as Luka Doncic. There have been questions about Doncic’s fit alongside Reaves, especially after the way they got pummeled by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the playoffs.
“If the Lakers are smart, they would do a sign-and-trade. And the reason I say that is because when you have a team with two players, who are pretty much the same, meaning Luka and AR. I’m not saying they have the same skill set. They play the same position, pretty much do the same thing. It’s a wash. Don’t get me wrong, I love AR, but you don’t need two of the same players,” Horry said on his “Big Shot Bob” podcast on September 18.
Reaves will have plenty of suitors if the Lakers make him available next season. One of the teams reportedly interested in the 27-year-old guard is the San Antonio Spurs, as per ClutchPoints’ Anthony Irwin.
Austin Reaves Working on His Game to Improve Play Alongside Luka Doncic
According to Anthony Irwin, Austin Reaves was making improvements to his game in the offseason. Reaves worked on his defense, especially after getting torched by Anthony Edwards in the playoffs. He also worked on his off-the-catch game, including shooting and attacking.
But the most important aspect of Reaves’ offseason was increasing the speed of his shot release to be able to play better with Luka Doncic. Since the Slovenian star will have the ball in his hands for the majority of possessions, Reaves will need to adapt as a spot-up shooter, a catch-and-shoot player and a cutter.
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