Austin Reaves has come a long way from being an undrafted rookie to one of the Lakers’ most dependable players. But behind the polished professionalism and clutch performances, there’s a fiery family who doesn’t take kindly to anyone yelling at their guy, even if that “anyone” is the Lakers’ second-year head coach, JJ Redick.
During a recent podcast appearance, Reaves revealed a story that shows just how personal basketball can get, even in the most high-pressure locker rooms.
Why was Austin Reaves’ Grandma Ready To confront JJ Redick?
Redick, the former basketball sharpshooter, signed a four-year deal in June 2024 and inked a $45 million extension in September 2025. He stepped into his first head coaching job and immediately inherited a locker room full of stars and expectations. Known for his basketball IQ and direct communication style, Redick doesn’t sugarcoat things when pushing players to perform.
That passion has led to a few heated moments in practice and games. One of those involved the Lakers’ 27-year-old star. Reaves admitted the two have gone at it a few times since Redick took over, all in the name of intensity and improvement.
He joined The Old Man and the Three podcast and recounted an incident where his grandmother was furious over the Lakers’ coach.
“We have had a couple of instances where, you know, we went at each other,” Reaves said, recalling early tensions with JJ Redick. “My grandma one day was so mad at him. She was like, if he yells at you like that one more time – I was like, Mamaw, it’s okay. Your kids, my mother, your daughter, has yelled at me way worse than that. So it’s fun, it’s fun.”
The moment was lighthearted, but it peeled back the curtain on Reaves’ competitive relationship with his coach.
For Reaves, though, the banter is part of the grind. He’s become a cornerstone of the Lakers’ offense, scoring 20.2 points, dishing 5.8 assists, and grabbing 4.5 rebounds last season while shooting 46% from the field. That production is a starter material on a team built around stars like Luka Dončić and LeBron James.
Even in a preseason loss to the Phoenix Suns on Friday, October 3, Reaves dropped 20 points in just 21 minutes, shooting 6-of-11 from the floor and hitting all seven free throws. Redick didn’t hesitate to praise him afterward, naming Reaves alongside Jarred Vanderbilt, Christian Koloko, and RJ Davis as the night’s bright spots.
Clearly, there’s no bad blood, just competitive fire and family pride. Redick’s coaching style is intense but thoughtful. He uses his experience as a player to relate to guys like Reaves, focusing on trust and giving everyone a defined role.
How Does Reaves fit in the New Look Lakers?
Reaves’ role in the Lakers is evolving, too. With Dončić now running the Lakers’ offense, Reaves becomes the ultimate glue guy. He’ll be the one spacing the floor, hitting those corner threes, creating when plays break down, and keeping the ball moving.
That’s what makes his future such a hot topic. Reports say the Lakers offered him a four-year, $89 million contract, but Reaves turned it down, eyeing a free-agency payday north of $35 million per year. Fans won’t ignore that storyline heading into the 2025 offseason. Still, Reaves insists he wants to stay in L.A., and based on the way he talks about Redick, that sounds genuine.
