Since Lakers’ head coach Darvin Ham started Cam Reddish instead of Austin Reaves, the Los Angeles Lakers have won 4 of their last 5 games to turn a worrisome 3–5 start into a 7–6 record and 7th place in the West.
Ham’s moves not only put to bed any concerns the Lakers were going to suffer a repeat of last season’s disastrous 2–10 start but also rekindled early optimism L.A. could legitimately compete with a healthy James and Davis.
Right now, the Los Angeles Lakers have the 5th best odds to win the 2024 NBA championship, trailing the Denver Nuggets, Boston Celtics, Milwaukee Bucks, and Phoenix Suns and slightly ahead of the Golden State Warriors.
Still waiting for two key rotation players in Jarred Vanderbilt and Gabe Vincent to return from injuries, the Lakers have 7 more games left this month until the 20-game quarter pole in the long 82-game NBA season.
The Lakers need to go at least 5–2 over these next 7 games to finish the first fourth of the season with a 12–8 record, which would give them a 60% win percentage, likely good enough to move into top-6 West playoff teams.
Let’s take a look at how Darvin Ham’s moves with Cam Reddish and Austin Reaves refocused the Lakers offensively and defensively and turned around what had the potential to become a second straight disastrous season start.
How Darvin Ham’s Moves Turned Lakers’ Season Around
Since starting Reddish and benching Reaves, the Lakers have been a different team, winning 4 of their last 5 games and turning a rough 3–5 start into a 7–6 record and 7th place in the Western Conference.
There’s no question pressure was starting to mount on second year Lakers’ head coach Darvin Ham not to allow the team to get off to a second straight disastrous start to the season as the 3–5 Lakers were 11th place in the West.
While a change in starters was expected, Ham opted to start Cam Reddish and move Austin Reaves to the bench, a move that surprised everybody as most anticipated Russell, not Reaves, being the player to go to the bench.
Before swapping Reddish and Reaves, the Lakers 106.6 Offrtg was 28th, their 113.8 Defrtg 19th, and their -7.2 Netrtg 27th out of 30 NBA teams. That changed once Ham started Reddish and moved Reaves to the bench.
Suddenly, the Lakers played dramatically better at both ends of the court. In the 5 games since the change, the Lakers 117.1 Offrtg was 11th, their 110.5 Defrtg 8th, and their +6.6 Netrtg 8th out of 30 teams in league.
Over this 5-game stretch, the Lakers’ 51.3% FG% ranked 2nd, their 43.9% 3P% ranked 1st, their 36.2 Drb/gm 2nd, their 8.8 Stl/gm 8th, their 6.6 Blk/gm 2nd, their 27.2 FTA/gm 5th, and their +6.6 Plus/Minus 8th.
The biggest impact of the change, however, could be how it unleashed LeBron James, whose team-best 124.9 Offrtg, 109.9 Defrtg, and team-best +15.1 Netrtg were the Lakers’ difference maker the last 5 games.
Bottom line, Ham’s move to go big at shooting guard by starting Reddish and keeping Russell at point while moving Reaves to the bench as team’s sixth man refocused the Lakers on winning offensively and defensively.
How Reddish Starting Revitalized Lakers’ Starting Lineup
Since becoming a starter 5 games ago, Cam Reddish has averaged 13.8 points, 3.0 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 2.8 steals, and 0.5 blocks in 30.6 minutes per game with a +6.8 plus/minus, second best to only LeBron James’ +8.8.
Ham’s decision to start Cam Reddish at shooting guard, a position he hadn’t played since the first two of his four years in the league, was a major reason why the Lakers suddenly began playing better at both ends of the court.
His 2.8 steals per game was 4th best in the league during the last 5 games and showcased how Cam’s 6′ 8″ height and 7′ 1″ wingspan and aggressive point-of-attack defense suddenly transformed the Lakers’ backcourt.
But Cam Reddish’s impact was not just limited to the defensive side of the ball. Over the past 5 games, Cam scored the 4th most points with shooting splits of 53.3% from the field, 52.2% from deep, and 81.8% from the line.
He showed he could not only score from all three levels but do so with athleticism and efficiency. During the last 5 games, Reddish posted a high 118.1 Offrtg, low 107.0 Defrtg, and team second best +11.1 Netrtg.
Ham’s trust and belief in Reddish has both given Cam an opportunity he just didn’t have or wasn’t ready to take advantage of with previous teams. Darvin Ham desperately needed to a spark and starting Reddish lit a fire.
It also previewed a bigger and better defensive starting lineup that could prevent the Lakers from always losing the first quarter and falling behind by double digits and restore their paint points and free throw dominance.
While many Lakers analysts see him as merely a placeholder in the starting lineup for the injured Jarred Vanderbilt, Cam Reddish shows solid signs that he should be the long-term starter and Taurean Prince the placeholder.
How Reaves Playing Sixth Man Revitalized Lakers’ Bench
The move by Lakers’ coach Darvin Ham to move young Austin Reaves to the bench as the team’s sixth man was designed to give the starting lineup more size and defense and the bench better shooting and playmaking.
Before moving to the bench, Austin was averaging 13.1 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 4.0 assists in 32.0 minutes per game while shooting 41.6% from the field, 27.8% from deep, and 80.8% from the free throw line.
Since coming off the bench the last 5 games, Reaves has averaged 13.0 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists in 28.9 minute per game while shooting 47.8% from the field, 47.1% from deep, and 81.3% from the line.
There were a lot of reasons why Darvin Ham was smart to move Austin Reaves to the bench rather than D’Angelo Russell, who might not have accepted the move with the right spirit, including getting him going.
Before Reaves went to the bench, the Lakers were averaging 24.3 bench points per game. After moving Austin to the bench, the Lakers raised their bench points per game to 31.4, which ranked 20th among 30 NBA teams.
Whether Reaves continues to come off the bench will depend on what the Lakers do at the trade deadline. The Lakers are currently looking at the possibility of trading for Chicago Bulls superstar two guard Zach LaVine. Should the Lakers trade for LaVine, their package would likely include D’Angelo Russell, Gabe Vincent, Taurean Prince, and Jalen Hood-Schifino to match salaries and the Lakers lightly protected 2029 first round pick.
In that scenario, the Austin Reaves could conceivable become the starting point guard in an upgraded Lakers’ backcourt with Zach LaVine. Bottom line, Austin Reaves move to the bench could end up being just temporary.
LakerTom says
https://twitter.com/LakerTom/status/1726055539451560090
DJ2KB24 says
That should be for sure.
Buba says
It is important to keep in mind that the Lakers have two sets of back-to-back games the rest of the month. The second nights of each of those two are against teams with winning records. I can see those two games as scheduled losses.
LakerTom says
Good points, Buba.
LakerTom says
https://twitter.com/LakerTom/status/1726056080739090492
LakerTom says
https://twitter.com/LakerTom/status/1726056450756378849
LakerTom says
https://twitter.com/AlexmRegla/status/1725889518509895901
LakerTom says
https://twitter.com/LakerTom/status/1726056910468812822
DJ2KB24 says
Feel bad for “Funky,” they were playing super “D” on him all night.
MongoSlade says
3 games vs MEM & POR is a magic elixir as well. This next stretch of games including vs DAL, CLE, PHI, OKC to close out the month will give us a better measuring stick of where we actually stand. We haven’t fared well against good teams so far.
Also…we can’t start AR at pg. It’s not his best position. He’s being forced there with Gabe’s injury but I really hope Rob & D.Ham aren’t looking at it as a longterm solution.
LakerTom says
If they go after LaVine, they could end up moving AR back to starting point guard. I think his best position is probably as a backup point guard. That’s where he should stay IMO.
Michael H says
I’m becoming a Cam fan. His defense has been great all year. However his offense was MIA early on. If he keeps his offense going I think he will replace Prince in the starting 5. With Vando now at 6’ 10” Cam and Vando along with AD would be a dynamic defense. I’m also becoming a DLO fan. He has noticeably change his approach into a true lead guard. After a bit of a slow start, in the last 10 games he has averaged: 31.4 minutes, 19.7 points, 51.4% FG, 43.3% 3-point FG, 80.8% FT, 3.3 rebounds, 6.4 assists, and 1.9 turnovers. He has also played serviceable defense. His +14.5 is 2nd to LeBron on the team. Austin hasn’t been nearly as good at the point. If DLO keeps this up I doubt we will see a trade involving him.
LakerTom says
Aloha, Michael,
I’m pretty much in agreement with you on Cam and on the possibility of having three elite defenders in the starting lineup. I want to improve our 3-point shooting but not at the cost of PIP and MFT.
Right now, the players who are more likely to be traded imo are are MLE and BAE signees Vincent and Prince. Combined, they make what DLo makes and it makes sense for them to make a move for a $20M player rather than a $40M guy.
Other problem with trading DLo is you have to get a point guard in return and that’s not going to be easy. DLo’s shown a willingness to adjust and has been a great teammate and leader imo.
Bottom line, Darvin made the right move and it’s had a major impact on the team. Now it’s time to start Rui and move Prince to the bench. That’s what I’d like to see tonight. More size against Rockets and Sengun.
Michael H says
I agree Tom. As for trades, it is hard to tell what we need with at least two rotation guys and up to five missing in most of the games. As for 3 point shooting it is getting better. DLO, LeBron, Cam and Rui are shooting it well. We need Austin and Wood to start making the shots they are both capable of making. I also agree that Rui should be starting over Prince.