NBA Roundup: Reaves Keeps Lakers Afloat; Bucks Get Early Returns From Rollins, Green; Wolves Search for Defensive Spark
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Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers have stayed competitive even with LeBron James and Luka Doncic sidelined, thanks largely to the scorching start of Austin Reaves. The 27-year-old guard is averaging 34.2 points, 10 assists and 5.6 rebounds while shooting 52.5 percent from the floor. He also tops the league in free throws made per game.
Reaves has already posted 51 points in Sacramento and 41 against Portland, and he buried a game-winning shot in Minnesota during a 28-point, 16-assist performance. “That guy is going to show up in the big moments,” head coach JJ Redick said, according to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin. “I’m not surprised. He’s done that many times in his career.”
The breakout comes as Reaves approaches what amounts to a contract year; he is expected to decline his $14.9 million player option for 2026-27. ESPN’s Tim Bontemps reports that executives around the league expect the guard to command at least $30 million annually, with one rival suggesting an offer could reach $180 million over four years. “He’s good, and the Lakers intend to keep him,” one executive told ESPN. “So my guess is it gets done.”
Bucks
Milwaukee has struggled to land impact players through the draft since selecting Giannis Antetokounmpo in 2013, but the team appears to have uncovered two undrafted gems. Guard Ryan Rollins erupted for 32 points and eight assists Thursday against Golden State, while A.J. Green has hit at least three three-pointers in every game and is shooting 55 percent from long range.
Rollins is on a three-year, $12 million contract, and Green signed a four-year deal worth $45 million, giving the Bucks two low-cost rotation pieces if their hot starts continue. Milwaukee has not re-signed a drafted player to a second contract in 11 years, making these reclamation projects even more valuable.
Elsewhere, former Bucks center Myles Turner told teammate Thanasis Antetokounmpo on a podcast that Tyrese Haliburton’s Achilles injury altered Indiana’s offseason approach. “The front office just changed their mind,” Turner said. “It was like, ‘Yeah, you helped us get there but we had to pivot.’”
Timberwolves
Defense has traditionally defined the Minnesota Timberwolves, but the unit ranks 24th in defensive rating (119.5) after finishing sixth last season. Head coach Chris Finch pointed to his top stoppers as the catalysts for improvement. “Jaden (McDaniels) has gotta be better at the point of attack,” Finch said, per Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic. “Rudy (Gobert) has gotta challenge more stuff at the rim.”
With 23 games played, Minnesota has time to tighten its schemes, yet the early numbers fall short of the organization’s defensive standard.
Source: Hoops Wire
