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3 Los Angeles Lakers who should get fewer minutes in the regular season

By Jason Reed

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - OCTOBER 06: Wesley Matthews #9 of the Los Angeles Lakers handles the ball ahead of Cameron Johnson #23 of the Phoenix Suns during the NBA preseason game at Footprint Center on October 06, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Lakers 117-105. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - OCTOBER 06: Wesley Matthews #9 of the Los Angeles Lakers handles the ball ahead of Cameron Johnson #23 of the Phoenix Suns during the NBA preseason game at Footprint Center on October 06, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Lakers 117-105. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

2. Austin Reaves

This is a bit unfair as it is obvious that Austin Reaves is going to get less playing time once the regular season rolls around. Reaves was signed to be the 14th player on the Los Angeles Lakers roster and has all the makings of being a hidden gem for LA.

Reaves has shown the potential in his game that the Lakers signed him for but it is clear that he is not ready to have a steady role in the rotation. He needs to ease into his role with the team and focus more on accomplishing certain goals for the 2021-22 season.

Reaves played 30 minutes for the Lakers in the last preseason game of the year. While the last preseason game is the most indicative marker of what the regular-season rotation might look like, it is not a stretch to say that Reaves is not going to be playing 30 minutes anytime soon.

That being said, Reaves might be forced into the fire early on in his Lakers’ tenure. The Lakers are already banged up with injuries and the biggest goal for the team in the regular season needs to be to keep the older players fresh.

That could result in big minutes for Reaves early on, which is a bit concerning. While he has potential, it is not a good look to have an undrafted free agent playing a big role on a title-contending team.

It will be short-lived and once the season gets in full swing we will likely see Reaves get relegated to garbage-time minutes.

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