"Put on muscle up top" - Austin Reaves outlines his plan to bulk up during Lakers offseason
Austin Reaves of the LA Lakers had the best year of his career last season, averaging career highs in points, rebounds and assists. Reaves still has some room for improvement, including his build. He's determined to bulk up this offseason and put in more muscle.
In an interview with Lakers Nation, Reaves shared his plans for the offseason. He'll mainly focus on bulking up his upper body since he didn't have the time last year since he represented Team USA in the 2023 FIBA World Championship in the Philippines.
"I think the first thing is getting a little stronger upper body. 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," Reaves said.
The 26-year-old added that Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka wants him to gain at least five pounds of muscle to help himself be better defensively.
"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," Reaves continued. 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."
Austin Reaves averaged 15.9 points, 4.3 rebounds and 5.5 assists per game last season, while shooting 48.6% from the field, 36.7% from beyond the arc and 85.3% from the charity stripe.
Reaves played terribly at the start of the campaign but got his groove back when he was inserted back into the starting lineup.
Austin Reaves looking forward to playing for JJ Redick
Austin Reaves had a rough time under head coach Darvin Ham last season and didn't start until later in the campaign. Ham fell short of the LA Lakers' expectations and was fired at the end of the season. The Lakers tried getting UConn head coach Dan Hurley before hiring former NBA player JJ Redick.
Redick has been interested in coaching before signing with ESPN. He also has a relationship with LeBron James since they have a podcast together called "Mind the Game."
Reaves is excited to play for Redick next season and possibly take his game to the next level.
"Yeah, I've gotten to know JJ a little bit. Going on his podcast during the middle of the year. He's a basketball genius, as everybody knows. I think he's going to make a good coach and I can't wait to get to work with him," Reaves told Cierra Clark of THV11 in Little Rock, Arkansas last month.