Austin Reaves’ Timeline to Return to Lakers from Injury Updated by JJ Redick Ahead of Road Trip

Austin Reaves could be back in the mix for the Los Angeles Lakers soon.

Per ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, Lakers head coach JJ Redick said Reaves is “progressing well” from his left calf injury and will rejoin Los Angeles at some point during the team’s eight-game road trip, which begins Tuesday against the Denver Nuggets.

Reaves suffered a grade 2 strain in his left calf muscle in the Lakers’ Christmas Day game against the Houston Rockets and has been out ever since. He had previously missed a handful of games in mid-December because of a separate calf issue.

Before the injury, Reaves was playing the best basketball of his career, putting up 26.6 points, 6.3 assists and 5.2 rebounds per game, all of which are career highs. He’ll look to keep up that level of play upon return.

Reaves’ absence has been felt by Los Angeles, which ranks ninth in offensive efficiency at 116.7. Redick voiced his frustration about the Lakers’ offense recently, blaming their struggles on the holidays.

“I don’t know what else to do,” Redick said. “… It’s just like, that’s happening so consistently right now. I chalk it up to the holidays.”

While Reaves is clearly an important piece to the Lakers this year, trade rumors arose recently after LeBron James’ agent, Rich Paul, suggested on his podcast that the team trade Reaves to the Memphis Grizzlies in return for Jaren Jackson Jr.

James discussed Paul’s comments, saying his agent’s thoughts aren’t a reflection of his.

“I think you all know by now, Rich is his own man and what Rich says is not a direct reflection of me and how I feel,” James said, per McMenamin. “And I hope people know that. I hope people know that and if they’re not sensible to know that, then I don’t know what to tell them.”

The Lakers, who have lost five of their last seven games, are currently sitting in sixth place in the West at 25-16. Reaves’ eventual return should give them a spark.