Lakers fans must forget wild Austin Reaves theory immediately
Austin Reaves is not going to be coming off the bench because there is no reason he should. Not after the season he just had. Not with the work he has put in. And definitely not going into a contract year.
Fans love to play with lineups in the offseason. With Marcus Smart landing a spot in Los Angeles, it did not take very long for some to wonder if maybe Reaves would move to the second unit to “balance” things. From Reaves’ point of view, that idea probably sounds as crazy as it actually is.
This is a guy who just averaged 20.2 points, 5.8 assists, and 4.5 rebounds while playing the best basketball of his career. He shot the ball well from deep (just under 38 percent), made plays in big moments, and continued to grow into one of the most reliable guards in the West.
Whether it was initiating offense, making tough shots, or throwing dimes to his teammates, Reaves did it all and did it without making a big deal out of it. As much as Smart’s arrival could unlock a new version of Reaves, one that could work out, he is not a utility piece. He is a starter, and he carries himself like someone fully aware of that.
Coming off the bench would threaten Austin Reaves' next contract
If Reaves were suddenly asked to come off the bench, that is not the kind of shift he would take lightly, especially when he is playing for a new contract.
Jovan Buha put it on his podcast Buha’s Block: “If the Los Angeles Lakers want to keep Austin, I don’t see how you can sell him on a bench role… If they’re moving Austin to the bench, that is shifting things toward him potentially being elsewhere next summer.”
Reaves has already earned respect across the league, not just for his game but for how consistent he is. Taking the ball out of his hands or moving him into a lesser role does not help him and frankly does not make much sense from his perspective.
He has already shown he can play next to stars. He has adjusted his game when needed. But there is still only one version of Reaves that really works: the one who starts, handles the ball, and impacts the game from the opening tip.
Buha said it best: “The Austin bench conversation is ridiculous… every scenario leads to Austin starting.” And that is because Reaves has made sure of it.
Lions Officially Announce Massive Jameson Williams Contract Extension
On Sunday morning, the day of their season-opening matchup against their division-rival Green Bay Packers, the Detroit Lions officially announced their massive contract extension for WR Jameson Williams. The speedster wide receiver and former first-round pick was a big part of Detroit’s offense last season, and now he’s locked up for the foreseeable future.
According to NFL inside Jordan Schultz on Saturday, the Lions signed Williams to a three-year deal worth up to $83 million on the eve of the season. The extension officially keeps Williams under contract through 2029, as he was still on the fourth year of his rookie contract this season and could have played on the fifth-year option in 2026.
Schultz adds that the deal carries $67 million in guarantees, a hefty number. The $27.6 million in average annual value ranks 13th in the league among wide receivers, just above the Bears’ D.J. Moore and just under the Dolphins’ Jaylen Waddle.
“The Lions have signed WR Jameson Williams to a contract extension,” the team’s press release reads. “Among all NFL players in 2024, he tied for 1st in 50+ yard catches (five) & was 2nd in receiving average (17.3). Among all NFL WRs with 50+ catches last year, he ranked 1st in YAC/reception (8.6).”
Jameson Williams Had a Breakout Season in 2024
Mike Mulholland/GettyDETROIT, MICHIGAN – JANUARY 05: Jameson Williams #9 of the Detroit Lions reacts after a first down during the first quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at Ford Field on January 05, 2025 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Mike Mulholland/Getty Images)
It wasn’t a banner start to his career for Williams. The former star at Alabama in college was the No. 12 overall pick in 2022. The Lions paid a steep price to get him, trading a first-rounder (No. 32), a second-rounder (No. 34), and a third-rounder for the No. 2 pick and a lower second-rounder (No. 46). Detroit had already used a first-round pick that year on OT Penei Sewell (No. 7).
Williams was recovering from an ACL tear as a rookie and only played in six games, logging a single reception. But that one catch went for 41 yards and a touchdown, flashing his high-level potential as a game-breaking speed threat.
With just 24 catches for 354 yards and two touchdowns in 2023, many were wondering if the Lions had made a mistake drafting Williams so high. But he put those concerns to rest in a breakout 2024 campaign, when he had 58 catches for 1,001 yards and seven touchdowns, adding an important field-stretching ability to the Lions offense.
The Detroit Lions Offense Will Have Some New Pieces This Season
The high-flying Lions offense will have some new elements this season. Star offensive coordinator Ben Johnson is now the head coach of the Chicago Bears, taking his ingenuity and creativity with him. Internal promotion John Morton has big shoes to fill, but the team has every confidence in him.
Along the offensive line, C Frank Ragnow retired and G Kevin Zeitler signed with the Titans in free agency. Graham Glasgow slides over to center to replace Ragnow, while rookie second-rounder Tate Ratledge steps in at RG for Zeitler.
Despite the new faces, this Lions offense should remain one of the NFL’s best — even if it looks a little different.
