Expected Changes For Lakers With Luka Doncic & Austin Reaves Out
Lakers Nation • • sports
Key Points:
- Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick faces the challenge of managing the team without top scorers Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, both sidelined due to injuries for the remainder of the regular season and beyond.
- Redick plans to adjust the team's offensive strategy, relying more on LeBron James, Rui Hachimura, and Deandre Ayton, while awaiting the return of Reaves and Marcus Smart.
- With Doncic and Reaves out, secondary ball-handlers like Kobe Bufkin, Nick Smith Jr., and Dalton Knecht will have increased responsibilities, and the Lakers may expand their rotation to 10 or 11 players.
- Despite the setbacks, the Lakers aim to secure the 3-seed and win a first-round playoff series, with young players expected to step up during the final regular-season games.
- Luka Doncic, who played 64 of the 65 games required for NBA award eligibility, may still qualify for end-of-season awards through a plan announced by his agent Bill Duffy.
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