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Can the Lakers Still Win With Luka Out? Plus, Could Reaves Become too Expensive?
Episode 2492
The Lakers are in a bind, playing for at least a few more days without Luka Dončić, and for a lot more than that without LeBron James. But the hope for Wednesday in Minnesota at least is that the Lakers could get Marcus Smart and Jaxson Hayes back, which would make a huge difference against a Wolves squad missing Anthony Edwards.
The Lakers are obviously getting a ton of production out of Austin Reaves (more on that in a moment), and that's just keeping them afloat. But while it's never good for this many guys to be out, are there any silver linings for the Lakers?
Well, you can start with Deandre Ayton, who is getting a chance to assert himself aggressively in LA's offense, and the Lakers are getting a good feel for how Ayton best operates as an offensive weapon in the pick and roll. It's not all about finishing hard at the rim, for starters. And meanwhile, Jarred Vanderbilt is also getting a lot more burn than he otherwise might, which is significant because it means his body is healthy enough to handle it. If that trend holds over the course of the season, the Lakers can hopefully get the best version of Vando, and deploy him tactically without over-exposing him.
Finally, an interesting observation from Sam Amick at The Athletic about soon-to-be-free agent Austin Reaves, and whether his scalding hot start represents a long term problem for the Lakers. Namely, does it potentially make AR too expensive, or drive up his value to the point the Lakers can't build around Luka with another guy absorbing that much cash.
That's one way to think about it, but not the only way.
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
SEGMENT 1: The Lakers might get some help Wednesday in Minnesota.
SEGMENT 2: Opportunities for Ayton and Vando.
SEGMENT 3: Is Reaves playing too well?
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