Reaves Reignites Lakers, Fultz Auditions for Raptors, Nets Lose Rookie Demin for Season
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Several clubs received notable personnel updates Sunday, highlighted by Austin Reaves’ scoring surge in Los Angeles, Markelle Fultz’s G League cameo for Toronto’s affiliate and a season-ending setback for Brooklyn rookie Egor Demin.
Lakers
Guard Austin Reaves poured in 25 points during the Lakers’ victory over the Knicks, marking only the third time in his past 15 outings he has reached the 20-point plateau. The 25-year-old’s production had dipped after he returned in early February from a strained left calf, but coach JJ Redick said the directive remains simple: stay aggressive and “touch the paint” whenever possible.
Reaves, who opened the season with All-Star caliber numbers, holds a $14.9 million player option for 2024-25. League observers widely expect him to decline it in pursuit of a contract that could reach five years and roughly $241 million. A sustained return to form would bolster Los Angeles’ standing in the Western Conference playoff race.
Raptors
Markelle Fultz, the No. 1 overall pick in 2017, logged four points and five assists in his first game with Raptors 905. Toronto is evaluating the 25-year-old as a potential low-cost addition to fill its open roster spot, a decision expected around March 15, according to Sportsnet. No guarantees have been made to Fultz, who was recently claimed off waivers by the G League club.
Nets
The Nets announced that rookie guard Egor Demin will miss the rest of the season because of worsening plantar fasciitis in his left foot. Chosen No. 8 overall in the 2025 draft, the 20-year-old averaged 10.3 points, 3.3 assists and 3.2 rebounds across 52 games while shooting 38.5 percent from three-point range and 81.3 percent at the foul line. Demin earlier sat out most of training camp with a plantar fascia tear and recently experienced renewed soreness.
With Demin sidelined, fellow rookies Nolan Traore and Ben Saraf are positioned for larger roles. Brooklyn also declined to sign forward Grant Nelson to a second 10-day contract after his deal expired Sunday; he tallied 17 points, six rebounds and five blocks in four appearances. The move leaves the Nets with one open roster spot, with two-way player Chaney Johnson among internal options.
Source: Hoops Wire
