Austin Reaves believes the Los Angeles Lakers can make significant strides defensively this season after the team added several players known for their defensive ability during the offseason.
Speaking to reporters at Lakers training camp on Wednesday, Reaves highlighted Matisse Thybulle and Ziaire Williams in particular after facing them during the first few practices.
“Trying to score on Matisse and Zaire, especially with the dude out there too and walking on the back line is not easy,” Reaves said. “I had to deal with that all day yesterday and today, and it’s not fun. So defensively, we’re gonna be much better.”
Reaves said Thybulle and Williams compete on every possession and praised the defensive pressure they have brought to camp.
“All those guys compete every possession,” Reaves said. “You know, everybody else fills in the roles and plays the right way. So, yeah, I see how special we can be.”
Thybulle joined the Lakers on a one-year minimum contract after spending last season with the Portland Trail Blazers. Williams signed a one-year, $3 million deal after playing for the Brooklyn Nets and Charlotte Hornets during the 2025-26 season.
Reaves also discussed the challenge of going against Williams during offseason pickup games and training camp. He described the young wing as one of the best athletes in the league and said Williams has shown an eagerness to learn.
“He’s a freak of nature, moves as well as anybody. He’s, you know, one of the best athletes in the league,” Reaves said. “And once he starts, you know, thinking about the game more as, you know, we’ve talked about a lot this summer, he’s asked a lot of questions. So he’s very interested in learning.”
The Lakers underwent a major roster transformation after LeBron James left for the Philadelphia 76ers. Los Angeles traded for Walker Kessler and signed Reaves to a four-year, $180 million contract while also adding Quentin Grimes, Sandro Mamukelashvili, Collin Sexton, Kevon Looney and Thybulle.
Reaves said Looney’s championship experience could also be important for the new-look Lakers. The veteran center won three championships with the Golden State Warriors and is expected to provide leadership alongside Luka Doncic and Reaves.
“He knows what it takes, and he’s gonna be one of the vocal leaders on this team,” Reaves said. “He’s somebody that everybody has a lot of respect for. He competes his ass off every single day.”
Offensively, Reaves expects the Lakers to play with more movement rather than relying heavily on one-on-one possessions. With Doncic and Reaves expected to handle the ball frequently, he believes the team’s new pieces can help create a more balanced attack.
“I feel like our offense will be more free flowing and not just as much, you know, ball string stuff,” Reaves said. “It comes with guys knocking down shots, being in the right spot at the right time.”
Reaves averaged 23.3 points, 4.7 rebounds and 5.5 assists in 51 games last season while shooting 49.0% from the field and 36.0% from three-point range. With James gone, his role alongside Doncic will be even more important.
Still, individual numbers are not Reaves’ priority entering the season.
“I wanna win a lot of basketball games. That’s really it,” Reaves said. “Individualized. Don’t care. Just wanna win.”
The Lakers are coming off a 50-plus-win season that ended with a second-round sweep against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Reaves believes the changes made to the roster can give Los Angeles a different identity, particularly on defense.
