Austin Reaves’ Turnover Surge Tests Lakers’ Luka Doncic Era as JJ Redick Defends His Guard

Austin Reaves is discovering that a larger role on the Los Angeles Lakers comes with sharper scrutiny. With Luka Doncic now operating as the franchise’s primary offensive engine, Reaves has been asked to shoulder more playmaking responsibility—and the early returns have included a troubling spike in turnovers. After back-to-back games with eight giveaways, including a fourth-quarter collapse against the Golden State Warriors, Lakers head coach JJ Redick stepped to the podium to explain what is going wrong. His diagnosis points less to a collapse in confidence and more to the defensive attention Reaves now commands, the learning curve of a revamped roster, and the read progressions required when opponents send a second—and sometimes third—defender his way.

Redick Points to “Second Body” Defenses Behind Reaves’ Mistakes

Speaking ahead of the Lakers’ matchup against the Toronto Raptors, Redick offered a nuanced explanation for Reaves’ recent ball-security issues. The head coach described a common scenario in which Reaves attacks, draws a collapsing defender, and must decide whether to hit the rolling big man or kick out to an open three-point shooter.

“A lot of it is second body, right? A lot of the turnovers are second body, could be a pass to the roller, and there’s the roll man that the low man is there, and the reach should have been out to the three-point shooter in the corner.”

Redick emphasized that opponents are now trapping Reaves consistently, sometimes sending multiple defenders before he can complete his next move. The solution, according to the coach, is not reduced usage but quicker decision-making. “So a lot of it is just making the right read,” Redick said, adding that he and his staff speak with Reaves daily about those read progressions.

A 25-Point Lead Evaporates: Lakers’ Collapse Against Golden State

Redick’s comments followed a painful loss to the Golden State Warriors in which Los Angeles built a 25-point advantage after a dominant 38-15 first quarter, only to watch Golden State erase the deficit and secure a 112-95 victory. The Lakers committed 22 turnovers as the Warriors turned the game around, while the bench managed just seven points. Los Angeles’ offense stalled in the fourth quarter, scoring only 15 points after looking firmly in control early.

Reaves did not deflect blame afterward. “I was terrible again. That’s it,” he told reporters, taking full accountability for a performance that included eight turnovers—the second consecutive game with that number.

“I was terrible again. That’s it.”

The Numbers Tell a Worrying Story

The spike is not isolated to one bad stretch. Reaves averaged 2.4 turnovers per game in recent seasons before that figure rose to 3.0 last season. His current average has climbed to 4.8 through six games, reflecting the greater responsibility he carries as a secondary playmaker alongside Doncic.

That change in role is important. Reaves previously benefited from attacking defenses already stretched by other offensive threats. Now, opponents are increasingly prepared to send help defenders toward him before he can make his next move.

New Teammates, New Chemistry: Adjusting to the Doncic Era

Redick also pointed to roster construction as a contributing factor. The Lakers have brought in nine new rotation players, including Walker Kessler, Kevon Looney, Quentin Grimes, and Collin Sexton. Integrating that many new pieces takes time, particularly for a guard whose effectiveness depends on reading screens, anticipating cuts, and delivering passes at precisely the right moment.

A familiar pick-and-roll connection cannot be assumed with a new teammate. Reaves must learn the timing of different rollers, while his teammates need to recognize where he wants the ball to go when defenses collapse. Those small differences can turn a promising possession into a turnover. Even in a recent stretch where Reaves protected the ball well through one half, recording just one giveaway, his production—six points and three assists—fell short of what the Lakers need from a secondary playmaker.

Context, Not Excuses: What Comes Next for Reaves

Redick’s explanation offers context, not an excuse. Reaves must become quicker at identifying the second defender and finding the next available option, especially as his chemistry with the new roster develops. The Lakers need his playmaking, but they cannot afford to surrender possessions at this rate. For a team navigating the early stages of the Doncic era, stabilizing Reaves’ decision-making may be one of the most important subplots of the season.

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